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Vibrant creamy macaroni salad in a bowl with colorful vegetables and fresh herbs.
Alyssa

Macaroni Salad

How to make the BEST Macaroni Salad! This recipe can easily be doubled to serve a crowd.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 22 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Sides
Cuisine: American
Calories: 408

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz dry macaroni noodles (227g)
  • ½ cup finely diced sweet gherkins (about 4-6 gherkins, 80g)
  • ¾ cup finely diced red bell pepper (about ½ pepper, 100g)
  • cup thinly sliced celery (about 1-2 stalks, 55g)
  • cup finely diced red onion (45g)
  • 2 large hard boiled eggs finely diced
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise (olive oil mayo, 175g)
  • ¼ cup sour cream (70g)
  • 2 Tablespoons sweet pickle juice
  • 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar (optional)
  • 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • teaspoon garlic powder
  • teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Pour dressing over your macaroni salad ingredients and toss until well-combined.
  5. For best flavor, cover bowl and allow macaroni salad to chill for at least one hour. Stir once more before serving and enjoy!

Notes

For best flavor, refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.