Name: Macaroni Salad You’ll Crave All Summer Long Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 oz dry macaroni noodles; ½ cup finely diced sweet gherkins; ¾ cup finely diced red bell pepper; ⅓ cup thinly sliced celery; ⅓ cup finely diced red onion; 2 large hard-boiled eggs, finely diced; ¾ cup mayonnaise; ¼ cup sour cream; 2 Tbsp sweet pickle juice; 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 Tbsp sugar; 2 tsp Dijon mustard; ¼ tsp salt; ¼ tsp black pepper; ⅛ tsp garlic powder; ⅛ tsp crushed red pepper

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

This macaroni salad is a classic summertime favorite that’s bursting with flavor and just the right balance of creaminess and crunch. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or a simple weeknight side, it’s a dish you’ll find yourself craving all summer long.

A white bowl filled with creamy macaroni salad showing one main layer of elbow macaroni coated in a thick white sauce speckled with black pepper. Mixed within the macaroni are small pieces of red bell pepper, green celery, and purple onion, adding pops of color. Small green parsley leaves are scattered on top for garnish. The bowl rests on a textured fabric with a white marbled background lightly visible in the corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

8 oz dry macaroni noodles
½ cup finely diced sweet gherkins
¾ cup finely diced red bell pepper
⅓ cup thinly sliced celery
⅓ cup finely diced red onion
2 large hard-boiled eggs, finely diced
¾ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
2 Tbsp sweet pickle juice
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
⅛ tsp garlic powder
⅛ tsp crushed red pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the macaroni noodles in salted water until just al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, then toss with a drizzle of olive oil to keep the noodles separate.
Step 2: Finely dice the sweet gherkins, red bell pepper, celery, red onion, and hard-boiled eggs.
Step 3: In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, sweet pickle juice, red wine vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper until smooth and creamy.
Step 4: In a large bowl, gently mix the cooled macaroni, diced vegetables, eggs, and dressing until everything is well coated.
Step 5: Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Tips & Variations

For extra freshness, add chopped fresh herbs like dill or parsley just before serving.
Swap out sweet gherkins for dill pickles if you prefer a tangier flavor.
Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter dressing.
To make this recipe vegan, replace mayonnaise and sour cream with plant-based alternatives and omit the eggs.

Storage

Store the macaroni salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Give it a good stir before serving. It tastes best chilled, but if you like, let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to take the chill off.

How to Serve

A bowl filled with creamy macaroni salad showing three main layers: at the bottom, short curved macaroni pasta in pale yellow; the middle is thick white creamy dressing covering most pasta; the top has small diced red bell peppers, bits of purple onion, fresh green parsley leaves, and black pepper sprinkled evenly. The bowl is white with a dark rim and rests on a white marbled surface with a gray and white striped cloth nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make macaroni salad ahead of time?

Yes, in fact, letting the salad chill for at least an hour helps the flavors develop. It can be made up to a day in advance for best taste.

How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?

After cooking and draining, rinse the noodles under cold water and toss them with a little olive oil. This keeps the noodles separate and prevents clumping.