This is a classic, tasty, and oh-so easy macaroni salad recipe! Made with classic ingredient staples including celery, red pepper, and onion and dressed up in a simple creamy mayo-based dressing, this is guaranteed to be a hit at every cookout and potluck this year!
Be sure to check out the easy video that shows step-by-step how to make this recipe!
We have had a non-stop week of rain here.
Zach’s first two softball games of the season have been rained out and I’m beginning to forget what the sun looks like (I’m only slightly dramatic I promise 😉). I am completely over it. I’m ready for summertime sunshine and cookout weather, and with Memorial Day weekend just around the corner I’m taking the opportunity to prepare and share my all-time favorite macaroni salad recipe, even if it is grey and gloomy outside.
I’ve shared a few of my summertime salads, including my favorite broccoli salad and ramen noodle salad, but this one may just be my favorite.
Macaroni salad is a party/potluck/cookout staple, no get-together is complete without a giant chilled bowl, and today I’ll show you how I make my favorite recipe and the perfectly creamy, slightly sweet dressing that goes along with it.
What Ingredients are in Macaroni Salad?
Different macaroni salads contain different ingredients, but my staples include:
- Elbow macaroni (obviously 😉)
- Sweet pickles
- Red pepper
- Celery
- Red onion
- Hard boiled eggs or shredded or diced cheddar cheese
- A homemade mayo-based macaroni salad dressing
You can obviously add your favorite additional add-ins or make substitutions (I know some people prefer sliced green onions to red onion and some people like to add paprika to their dressing), but this if my favorite combination and I really recommend you try it out exactly this way at least once for yourself.
The dressing I just mentioned is what really sets it apart from other potluck recipes you might have tried. It provides just the right amount of creaminess — the noodles are coated in just enough sauce and are neither dry nor are they drenched in the dressing. It’s also just slightly sweetened thanks to the addition of some sweet pickle juice and a pinch of sugar.
How long can you keep Macaroni Salad?
Macaroni salad will keep for up to five days when stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. This is a great salad for making in advance (I actually recommend chilling for at least an hour before serving) and serving at picnics and potlucks, but try not to leave it out at room temperature (or worse, in the heat!) for very long as the salad dressing base will not keep well in the heat.
This macaroni salad recipe is a favorite to serve alongside my favorite BBQ pulled chicken and a plate full of deviled eggs (you’re already going to be boiling eggs anyway, might as well make enough for deviled eggs while you’re at it!).
When I shared my deviled egg recipe, so many of you shared your favorite methods for cleanly peeling fresh eggs, and I appreciated those tips so much and have tried many of them. I’d love to keep the conversation going here if you would share your favorite egg-peeling methods in the comments!
How Do You Make Homemade Macaroni Salad?
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Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz macaroni noodles (227g)
- 1/2 cup finely diced sweet gherkins usually 4-6 sweet gherkins for me (80g)
- 3/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper about 1/2 pepper (100g)
- 1/3 cup thinly sliced celery about 1-2 stalks (55g)
- 1/3 cup finely diced red onion (45g)
- 2 large hard boiled eggs, finely diced
Macaroni Salad Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise I use olive oil mayo (175g)
- 1/4 cup sour cream (70g)
- 2 Tablespoons sweet pickle juice
- 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar*
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper optional
Instructions
- Prepare macaroni noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse immediately with cold water, then drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil and gently stir so the noodles don't stick together as they sit.
- In a large bowl, combine macaroni noodles, sweet pickles, red pepper, celery, red onion, and eggs. Stir until well-combined. Set aside and prepare your dressing.
For the dressing
- To prepare your macaroni salad dressing, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, red wine vinegar, sweet pickle juice, sugar, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper (if using) in a medium-sized bowl. Whisk until ingredients are well-combined.
- Pour dressing over your macaroni salad ingredients and toss until well-combined.
- For best flavor, cover bowl and allow macaroni salad to chill for at least one hour. Stir once more before serving and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Beth says
October 14, 2019 at 2:50 pmWould this dressing work for red potato salad?
J.c says
September 28, 2019 at 2:41 pmCan I make it one day before the event.
Sugar Spun Run says
September 28, 2019 at 6:53 pmHello! Yes, you can! I would just store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. I hope that you enjoy the Macaroni Salad. 🙂
Char says
September 23, 2019 at 9:57 pmMade this today…I’m not one to make macaroni salad…but I had a hankering and came across your recipe. Great base. Excellent for adding/subbing different add inns! I used jarred roasted red pepper instead of fresh, left out the onion( I despise the flavour of raw onion) I also used diced pimento stuffed olives. I added a a couple more tbsps of red wine vinegar and one extra tbsp of sugar. I used regular relish(instead of gherkins and juice). Thanks for an awesome versatile recipe! Can’t wait to make it at a family gathering!
Sugar Spun Run says
September 24, 2019 at 5:57 amThank you so much! I love your variations to this recipe. I am so glad that you enjoyed the Macaroni Salad! 🙂
michellelacie says
September 20, 2019 at 5:03 pmAbsolutely LOVE this salad! I have always went with dill pickles and was a little nervous but boy was i wrong… the red wine vinegar and dijon mustard gives it the best zip of tangy flavor! This recipe is definitely a keeper. Thanks for helping ne try something new😊🥰
Sugar Spun Run says
September 20, 2019 at 9:58 pmYou are so welcome, Michelle! I am so glad that you enjoyed the Macaroni Salad. 🙂
Tim says
September 9, 2019 at 7:46 pmAwesome!
I added diced ham otherwise I followed the recipe. So delicious- sweet and savory. Thanks for the great recipe!
Sugar Spun Run says
September 9, 2019 at 7:55 pmThank you, Tim! I am so happy that you enjoyed the macaroni salad. 🙂
Ray says
September 8, 2019 at 5:51 pmI used dill pickle juice 1/4tsp dill weed and cucumbers in place of pickles. So so yummy.
Sugar Spun Run says
September 9, 2019 at 6:18 amYum! Sounds delicious, Ray! I am so glad that you enjoyed the macaroni salad. Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it! 🙂
Patti says
September 2, 2019 at 9:13 pmWe loved this macaroni salad. Don’t leave out the hard boiled eggs. I was skeptical because I have never put eggs in a macaroni salad before, but they sure added great flavor. This will be my new go to mac salad. Simply delish!
Sugar Spun Run says
September 3, 2019 at 11:18 amHello, Patti! I am so glad that you enjoyed the Macaroni Salad and that my recipe will be your go-to, I appreciate it! Enjoy! 🙂
Kathleen Whipple says
August 31, 2019 at 2:12 pmOMG!! Hands down, this is better than my mom’s macaroni salad!!! Fiance loves it..I’m gettin married for sure now, lolol!
Sam says
August 31, 2019 at 7:18 pmNow THAT is quite the compliment! Thank you so much for letting me know how much you enjoyed it, Kathleen!!! 🙂
Jessica Marjamaa says
August 18, 2019 at 11:05 amThis salad is AMAZING! Whenever there is a get together, I get the request to make. The sweet pickles and juice makes the salad and love how I can swap different veggies out depending on what I have in my fridge.
Sam says
August 18, 2019 at 8:37 pmI am so glad you enjoyed the macaroni salad Jessica! 🙂
Carol says
August 18, 2019 at 1:50 amAwesome! My company loved it!
Sam says
August 18, 2019 at 10:20 amI am so glad everyone enjoyed the macaroni salad, Carol! 🙂
Danielle says
August 17, 2019 at 4:41 pmThis recipe is wonderful. I made this salad for a family get together and it was such a hit. Even the picky eaters were loving it. It is definitely a recipe I will be coming back to! It’s a casual, easy to make, and delicious side dish that really pulls a potluck or BBQ meal together. 5 stars from the whole family!
Sam says
August 17, 2019 at 8:50 pmI am so glad everyone enjoyed the macaroni salad so much, Danielle! 🙂