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.
Robin
Been craving macaroni salad so scouted for something a bit different. Made this as instructed then took two batches from the original (that I doubled) and put extra cayenne pepper in one and curry powder in the other. Decisions, decisions….. This is so versatile! Thanks.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Sounds delicious, Robin! You’ll have to let us know which you end up liking best 😊
Shelley
I was skeptical of the pickles/juice and went light on them the first time, but they really add a lot of flavor! I have since made this at least a dozen times, and it’s always a hit. I use cellantani pasta (Barilla) and add an extra egg and more veggies (half cup orr more each of red pepper, green pepper, diced carrots and celery) – then we don’t feel guilty about not having a salad!
Stephanie
This is really good!! My family is super picky about macaroni salad and everyone loved it.
Tati
Having read the recipe, I realize that I’ll not need to look for more macaroni salad’s recipes. This one sounds perfect! Thank you so much for saving my time!
Julia
Hi!
Can I use a store-bought mayo-based salad dressing instead of a homemade one?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Julia! You could, but the flavor will vary. Our dressing is easy and has a perfectly balanced flavor, so we recommend making it homemade.
Cathy
Creamy and delicious with a nice blend of flavors that compliment each other well. Will be making this again♥️
Paula Graham
This Macaroni Salad is delicious!! The salad dressing puts in over the top!! Most importantly, my husband loved it!! I will be making this again soon and I’m sure many times in the future!! Thanks for a fantastic recipe!!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Thanks so much for the review, Paula! We’re thrilled to hear it was such a hit for you 🥰
Peggy
Can I substitute pasta salad noodles for elbow macaroni noodles?
Sam
Hi Peggy! That should work just fine. 🙂
Ryanne
First ever Macaroni salad attempt. Added diced Avocado, used both cheese and eggs (3), white vinegar, and 1/2 the sugar. Was amazing! Whole family agrees.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Sounds great! Enjoy, Ryanne 🥰
J.R.
I made this recipe nearly exactly as written. (We’ve always preferred dill pickles, so we used them instead of gherkins.)
We enjoyed this recipe & I would make it again.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
So happy you enjoyed, J.R.! Thanks so much for the review ❤️
Derrik
I made it…ate it and love it!
Derrik
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Yay! Enjoy, Derrik ☺️
Natasha Tennyson
Hi friends, this macaroni salad recipe is fabulous. I made five times the recipe for a local homeless shelter I cook for once a month. I made your macaroni salad to accompany huge sausage rolls. And my heart was so happy when many of our diners asked for more pasta salad. It was a hit. And I just made a batch for my family. This recipe is a keeper. Thank you!!!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Thanks so much for using our recipe in such a positive way, Natasha! We’re so happy it was a hit with the shelter and your family 😊
Tom
Come here from Buffalo New York. Just thought I’d try this recipe but I saw you had gherkins in it. I was a bit confused I thought that would be an overwhelming ingredient. But holy cow! This is the best macaroni salad I ever had and I ain’t just saying that! Thank you for such a wonderful recipe and go Bills!
Roxanne J Rink
I just had open heart surgery so I have to wait to try it but I can’t wait to do just that. Like the comments.
Sam
I wish you a speedy recovery and hope you love this when you get a chance to try it. 🙂
Heather
I just made this for my husband and he loves it! Thank you! I did leave out the red bell pepper but it would give it more color.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Thanks so much for trying our recipe, Heather! So glad it was a hit 😊
Michael Egleston
Like Shelley,I too was skeptical about the sweetness level, but found it actually enhances the overall salad very well. I have made it 3 times now for family get togethers, needing to double the amounts, but there haven’t been any leftovers yet, dang it ! This last time I was out of sweet pickles, so I substituted my homemade bread and butter pickles in their place, which have some mustard and celery seeds, plus a little tumeric in them. Great alternate for the sweet pickles should your pantry be out of the sweet gherkins. Thanks Emily for sharing such a great recipe with us all!
Kelly
Hands down the best Macaroni Salad (right next to my mother’s) we’ve ever had. In fact, it still stays creamy the next day. Thank you!!!!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy it was such a hit for your family, Kelly! Thanks for giving our recipe a try 😊