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 dry macaroni noodles (227g)
- ½ cup finely diced sweet gherkins usually 4-6 sweet gherkins for me (80g)
- ¾ cup finely diced red bell pepper about ½ pepper (100g)
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced celery about 1-2 stalks (55g)
- ⅓ cup finely diced red onion (45g)
- 2 large hard boiled eggs, finely diced
Macaroni Salad Dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise I use olive oil mayo (175g)
- ¼ cup sour cream (70g)
- 2 Tablespoons sweet pickle juice
- 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar*
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ 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
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Lynn Arledge
Going to give your Macaroni Salad a try. Looks delicious!
I tried this steaming method and the eggs were cooked and peeled perfectly. The one thing she doesn’t say is that you put your eggs in a single layer in the basket.
Debbie S
What could you sub for sour cream? We have someone in the family that is allergic to sour cream (unless it’s cooked in a casserole).
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Debbie! You could substitute plain Greek yogurt. You can also just leave it out, but the macaroni salad won’t be as flavorful and creamy 🙂
Barb D.
Can you make the dressing ahead of time? How long would just the dressing last in the refrigerator?
Sam
Hi Barb! You can make it in advance. It should be good for up to a week in the refrigerator. 🙂
Taylor
Unsweetened Greek yogurt is my go to!! Also lower in calories and can’t tell the difference 😀
Nellie Atleo
So simple yet so delicious! I must have really tiny macaroni noodles because I followed exact recipe and the dressing was way too much. Thank you for sharing!
Tina
Delicious! This is my go to dressing recipe for all macaroni/pasta salads when I want a slightly sweet dressing! As for egg peeling tips, besides what has already been mentioned, after mine sit in an ice bath for at least 20 minutes I peel the egg under a steady stream of cool tap water to help loosen the shell. Hope that tip helps.
Sonia
Love this recipe and I have made it many times. I just substituted the mac for potatoes and made potato salad and it is fantastic!
Norma
Absolutely love this macaroni salad. I left out the sour cream and it’s still amazing!!
Mrs. Smokin T
Love, ❤️ , love this. I’ve made this so many times & keep forgetting to comment. Today, I made it to go with our BBQ for National BBQ Day!! It is AWESOME with BBQ ribs & chicken.
Jennifer Martin
very good; to peel eggs easily, after boiling them, roll them until shells are finely cracked. If they are very fresh, let them soak in water for 20-30 minutes before peeling. Start at the more rounded end; peel the shell with the side of your thumb until you can get the membrane under the shell started; they will roll off the egg like a apple peel.
Mary Miller
i have no problem peeling hard boiled eggs. i have an egg poker that I bought years ago and you poke the big end of the egg before boiling them. When they are finished boiling run cold water over them and let them sit for a few minutes. Then break the large end of egg on counter and start peeling. the shell will peel off just like a banana. Hope this helps every body.
Pam
This is the best macaroni salad I have ever made! I do not like eggs, so they are left out and it is just fabulous. I have requests for it every summer and camping trip.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Thanks so much, Pam! We are so happy it’s such a hit for you 😀
Marla
Best macaroni salad ever! Thank you for sharing your delicious recipe:)
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Marla! We appreciate your review ❤
Judy
I just made this and it is really very good! Even my husband said it was delicious! Thank you so much for sharing! This will be a regular go to macaroni salad for our family! The dressing is amazing! Very pleasantly surprised.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Wonderful! Thanks for letting us know how it turned out for you 😊
Monica
Im hosting a dinner for several
People(possibly 10-12) and would love to make this, how much more macaroni should I use?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Monica! We’d suggest doubling the recipe for 12 people 😊
Dee
Very good made foe Easter lunch.
Patricia
Well balanced and delicious. One of the best we have made.
Holly Kim
delightful recipe I plan to use again to feed 80 people and I have full confidence they will love it 🙂
THERESA FIELDS
This is “hands down” THE BEST MACARONI SALAD!! Hubby even asked me to make more this weekend! And he’s never done that! Thank you so much for the delicious recipe! I “boil” my eggs in the air fryer at 270 degrees for 16 minutes! I put them in ice water after that and they feel perfectly!
Mike Haney
Hi Ya Sam,
Made a version of your salad. Used some broccoli and cucumbers with celery seed. I know it’s a little different, just the same good. Very Good. I like your style and just wanted to say I appreciate your recipe. Thanks
Marcia
Can macaroni salad be frozen? There are only two of us and this made a HUGE bowl. Delicious but way too much for the two of us.
Sam
Hi Marcia! I haven’t personally frozen it, but I think that should work just fine. 🙂
Neva
I made exactly per your recipe this morning. This is, hands down, the best macaroni salad I have ever tasted! My mom (an old Southern gal who’s been making macaroni salad for 60+ years) RAVED over it!
Thank you so much for yet another fantastic recipe! ❤️🤗
Dluvpink
Delicious! Easy with ingredients you have on hand. The dressing and the eggs made it so creamy and flavorful!!! I will definitely be using this one every time!! Thank you!
Lynn T
Yesss, thank you! Came out perfectly, easy to make, tasty and colorful. This will be my go to.
I was in the supermarket and they wanted $6.00 for a small container! I came home and made this with ingredients I had in the house.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so glad you liked it, Lynn ❤ It’s crazy how pricy the store-bought version can get!