Description
This creamy and tangy traditional macaroni salad recipe is packed with crunchy vegetables, sweet pickles, and a flavorful mayo-based dressingโperfect for summer cookouts, potlucks, or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz dry macaroni noodles (227g)
- ยฝ cup finely diced sweet gherkins (80g)
- ยพ cup finely diced red bell pepper (100g)
- โ cup thinly sliced celery (55g)
- โ cup finely diced red onion (45g)
- 2 large hard-boiled eggs, finely diced
- ยพ cup mayonnaise (175g)
- ยผ cup sour cream (70g)
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ยผ teaspoon salt
- ยผ teaspoon ground black pepper
- โ teaspoon garlic powder
- โ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Cook macaroni noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, then drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil and stir to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled noodles with sweet gherkins, red bell pepper, celery, red onion, and diced eggs. Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, sweet pickle juice, red wine vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the macaroni mixture and toss to coat evenly.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Stir again before serving and enjoy.
Notes
- For extra freshness, serve in a chilled bowl and garnish with herbs or red bell pepper slices.
- Portion into individual cups for picnics or parties.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Add a little mayo or pickle juice if the salad seems dry after refrigerating.
- Never leave the salad out for more than 2 hours in warm weather.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 105mg