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.
Phyllis Field
This is by far, the absolute best Marconi Salad I have ever made. We have tried many recipes over the years, but this one is the tops. We have made it three times already and every one who has tried it, loves ❤️ it! Thank you for creating, sharing and posting such a yummy dish!
Jules
Love this recipe, huge hit at the bbq
Phyllis Field
Was looking for an alternative to mac & cheese and for a way to incorporate more vegetables into our meals, when I came across your recipe. Lucky for me, I had all the ingredients on hand and made it as you wrote it. My hubby & I couldn’t believe how delicious it is. We are going to make more for a church picnic this coming week. Thank you for sharing your delicious recipe. Bon appetite!
Janet Frazier
This is by far the best macaroni salad I’ve ever made!!
Brandie Nisbett
Can you make this a couple days ahead of time?
Sam
Sure thing! You would likely need to toss it again after it sits though. 🙂
Kat
very good recipe! I like a bit of schredded cheese in mine..but don’t add it too early. Best dressing I’ve found.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you like it, Kat! Thanks for the review 🩷
Robin Zigos
I am making this delicious macaroni salad again today!! It is definitely a keeper and thank you for sharing.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
So glad it’s a hit, Robin! Enjoy ☺️
Martha
This is just a great recipe. Delicious! Substituted green pepper for red and green onions for red onion. Still delish!
Janine
This is my favorite! I always have people want the recipe!
Casey @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Janine!
Diane
Absolutely delicious as written and I wouldn’t change a thing. Each ingredient brings something special to this recipe. Everyone that has tasted it loves it. It’s fun to make. I do have to double the recipe since it goes over so well. Thank you for sharing this tasty recipe.
Jan M Fehling
I made this for tonight’s dinner and it was a humongous hit! I will definitely be making this again and I’ll probably eat what’s left! it was yummy and easy!
Colleen
I peel hard boiled eggs under small stream of hot water… peel seoarates easily!!
Nicole
Can this be made with dill pickles?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
The flavor will be different, but it will work 😊
Margretta D ZIller
I just made with dill pickles and was very good.
Chaste
I made a few substitutions, but only because i didn’t have the pickles or red wine vinegar on hand. Best mac salad i have ever had!
Gwendela Laxey
Can you freeze this, and if so, how?
Sam
Hi Gwendela! I haven’t personally frozen it, but I think freezing it could alter the texture of both the veggies and the pasta. If you do try it I would like to know how it does in the freezer. 🙂
Cindy Sullivan
Oh my goodness. Just made this salad recipe and it is delicious. I will be making it from now on. Best macaroni salad I have e er had.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We are so happy it was such a hit, Cindy! 😄
Maureen
Worked great for pot luck. Tasted and easy to make. Did not have peppers on hand so replaced with grated carrot. No store open at midnight