Go Back
–+ servings
Macaroni salad in a blue bowl with a wooden serving spoon. A striped cloth is next to the bowl.
Print

Macaroni Salad Recipe

Macaroni Salad is a classic summer side dish perfect for potlucks or easy weeknight dinners.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 8 to 10 servings
Calories 281kcal
Author John Kanell

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Whisk

Ingredients

Salad:

  • 8 ounces dry elbow macaroni noodles (226g)
  • 1 cup finely chopped celery (150g)
  • ½ cup finely chopped bell pepper (65g)
  • ½ cup finely diced red onion (60g)
  • ½ cup finely chopped pickles (70g)
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs peeled and finely chopped

Dressing:

  • ¾ cup sour cream (180g)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (104g)
  • ¼ cup pickle juice (60mL)
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

For the Salad:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with salt. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions or until tender.
    Macaroni dropped into a pot of boiling water.
  • Drain and rinse under cold water. Place in a large bowl. Add the celery, bell pepper, red onion, pickles, and eggs.
    Macaroni salad ingredients combined in a large glass bowl.

For the Dressing:

  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, pickle juice, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Whisk until combined. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir to combine.
    Creamy dressing poured over macaroni salad ingredients.
  • Cover and let stand for 1 hour before serving or chill for up to 4 days. Best if made and refrigerated overnight before serving.

Video

Notes

  • Use your favorite type of pickles. Any variety of cucumber pickles will work, from dill pickles to bread and butter to sweet pickles like gherkins. My favorite choice is sweet heat pickles for that sweet and spicy flavor!
  • If you don't have distilled white vinegar, use fresh lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, or white wine vinegar instead.
  • Green onions or scallions can be used as a substitute for red onions.

Nutrition

Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 493mg | Potassium: 193mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 577IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg