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.
Betsy
Awesome recipe. So easy and so tasty. This will be the only macaroni salad I make in the future. Thank you!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the macaroni salad, Betsy! Thanks for trying my recipe. I hope that you enjoy it for years to come. 🙂
Sharon J Hoppes
I just made the macaroni salad and it is amazing. I only added Munster cheese to the recipe. My recipe from now on.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed it, Sharon! Thanks for trying my recipe and for commenting. 🙂
V
Preparing the salad for the first time for our Super Bowl gathering putting it in the refrigerator for it to chill but what I tasted was delicious!!!! I’m glad I listen to my husband.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that the macaroni salad tastes delicious, V! I hope that it is a hit at your super bowl party! 🙂
Amy
What a great salad. It’s such a nice change from the normal boring macaroni salad. I added some shredded carrots to just because we love them.
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Amy! I am so glad that you enjoyed the salad. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Helen Stubbee
I’ve made this more than five time already. I actually get requests to make it for them. In fact, I made it today! This is officially my go-to recipe for macaroni salad.
Sugar Spun Run
That is wonderful to hear, Helen! I am so happy that the macaroni salad has become a staple for you. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Sarah
Yummy, could eat the whole dish myself
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the macaroni salad, Sarah! Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Carol Baran
I haven’t made this but I have had it and it is delicious. Will make it for my next BBQ.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the macaroni salad, Carol! I hope that others do as well when you make it for your next BBQ. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Tina Scurlock
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. My husband tremendously likes macaroni salad, but I don’t, NEVER, NO ONES! I could not stop eating this dish. Yummy. I’ll use this recipe for the next family gathering. I followed your suggestions smoked paprika and cheddar cheese, also. Over the top and off the edge. Im trying your baked cheesecake recipe for my husband birthday. It’s my first.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the macaroni salad, Tina! This is one that I can’t stop eating sometimes myself. 🙂 Thanks for trying my recipe. Keep me posted on how your cheesecake turns out! I hope that you love it!
Jayna S.
This recipe is hands down Heaven!!!!! Thank you sooooo much. Me and my daughter made it for our family for lunch. We used a 16oz box of macaroni, so we just had to double up the ingredients listed. I have absolutely no problems with this recipe, and I think that everyone should make this and try it! Thanks for the recipe
Sam
You’re very welcome, I’m so glad the macaroni salad was such a hit, Jayna!! Thank you so much for commenting and letting me know how it turned out, I appreciate it 🙂
Tatiana
This recipe is bomb! I just made it and I addd Tasty’s garlic and red pepper seasoning..it’s soo good!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed it Tatiana! 🙂
Mark
Peeling eggs is rather easy….straight after boiling them, empty hot water out, leave in s asucepsn and run cold water from tap on them for about 20 seconds. Tap eggs to crack shell all over, roll in palms of both hands & peel shell. Should come away easily offer in only 2 or 3 pieces
Sam
Thank you for the tip, Mark! I hope you love the macaroni salad!
Lia
Love the dressing. I added baby shrimp and I used the baby Israeli pickles. My husband hates puckles but I put them in anyways and he loved it! After I told him pickles were in their and he said he had no clue! Will be using this recipe again. Thank you!
Sugar Spun Run
That is wonderful to hear, Lia! I am so glad that you enjoyed the macaroni salad. 🙂
Terry
This is the first macaroni salad I’ve ever made. I don’t have to look for another recipe. It was absolutely delicious with the ingredients listed. It’ll definitely be my go to salad for family and friends get togethers.
Sam
I’m so happy to hear this, Terry! Thank you for letting me know how it turned out for you, I appreciate it 🙂
Angela Cowardin
I made this recipe exactly as written with the exception of a more generous sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Brought it to a Christmas gathering and everybody raved. This will now be a staple side dish for a potluck as everyone seems to love it. I really enjoyed the sweet pickle component (verses using traditional dill pickles), as it added a nice sweet taste to it that was not overpowering.
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoyed the macaroni salad, Angela! 🙂
Jacqulyn Floria
Just made this for Christmas dinner tomorrow. Didn’t use sour cream because we didn’t have any and had to use regular mustard instead of Dijon but I taste tested it and it tastes amazing. Thanks for the easy and yummy recipe.
Sam
You’re very welcome, Jacqulyn! Thank you for commenting and letting me know how the macaroni salad turned out for you 🙂
Jayna S.
Same here! I had to use regular mustard! The dish still tasted absolutely amazing!
Sue Maloney
Hello, is this a recipe that frozen peas or tuna or both can be added??
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Sue! I haven’t tried it but I think it will be fine. I hope that you enjoy the macaroni salad! 🙂
Nancy Snyder
Macaroni salad has never been one of my favorite dishes, but I’m tired of making potato salad for a crowd. Too much work. I need something to bring to Christmas Eve dinner so I thought I might as well try macaroni salad. Found your recipe, and I am hooked! It is soooo good! Thank you! Thank you!
Sam
I am so happy to hear my recipe was such a success for you, Nancy!! Thank you so much for commenting and letting me know how you enjoyed the macaroni salad, I really appreciate it 🙂