Description
This classic macaroni salad recipe is perfect for summer picnics and BBQs, combining tender macaroni noodles with crisp vegetables and a creamy, tangy dressing. Featuring sweet gherkins, red bell pepper, celery, and hard-boiled eggs mixed into a rich blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, and flavorful seasonings. Quick to prepare and best served chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz dry macaroni noodles (227g)
Vegetables & Eggs
- 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)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (for tossing pasta)
Instructions
- Cook the Macaroni: Cook macaroni noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil and stir gently to prevent the noodles from sticking.
- Combine Vegetables and Eggs: In a large bowl, mix the cooled macaroni noodles with the finely diced sweet gherkins, red bell pepper, thinly sliced celery, diced red onion, and finely diced hard-boiled eggs. Toss well to distribute evenly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, sweet pickle juice, red wine vinegar, granulated sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper if using until smooth and well blended.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the macaroni and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill. Before serving, stir again to remix and enjoy.
Notes
- For best texture, don’t overcook the macaroni—cook it just until al dente.
- Refrigerating the salad for at least an hour enhances flavor absorption.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder salad.
- Make sure to rinse the noodles well with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and cool noodles, preventing them from becoming mushy.
