Description
This classic macaroni salad recipe is perfect for summer picnics and BBQs, featuring tender macaroni noodles tossed with crunchy vegetables, diced hard-boiled eggs, and a creamy, tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, and zesty seasonings. It’s refreshingly flavorful, easy to prepare, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 oz dry macaroni noodles (227g)
- ½ cup finely diced sweet gherkins (80g)
- ¾ cup finely diced red bell pepper (100g)
- â…“ cup thinly sliced celery (55g)
- â…“ cup finely diced red onion (45g)
- 2 large hard-boiled eggs, finely diced
Dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise (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
- â…› teaspoon garlic powder
- â…› teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
Additional
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (for tossing noodles)
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Cook macaroni noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil and stir gently to prevent sticking.
- Combine macaroni and vegetables: In a large bowl, add the cooled noodles along with the finely diced sweet gherkins, red bell pepper, celery, red onion, and diced hard-boiled eggs. Mix everything together thoroughly.
- Prepare the dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, sweet pickle juice, red wine vinegar, granulated sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper until smooth and well blended.
- Mix salad and dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the macaroni and vegetable mixture. Toss well to coat evenly and ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
- Chill before serving: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, stir the salad again and enjoy your refreshing macaroni salad.
Notes
- For best results, cook pasta just until al dente to avoid mushy salad.
- Use sweet gherkins pickle for a sweeter, tangy crunch; you can substitute with sweet pickles if needed.
- Chilling the salad is essential for flavors to develop and ensure refreshing taste.
- Optional crushed red pepper adds a mild heat; omit if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Hard-boiled eggs add creaminess and protein; you can leave them out for a vegetarian option.
