Description
This tried and true classic Macaroni Salad recipe is perfect for potlucks and ideal for making in advance!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces dried macaroni pasta
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced small
- 2 stalks celery, diced small
- 1/3 cup red onion, finely diced
- 5 sweet gherkins, finely diced
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese, cubed small
- 2 hard boiled eggs, peeled and finely diced
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water, then toss with a teaspoon or 2 of olive oil to prevent sticking while you prepare the rest of the salad.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, bell pepper, celery, red onion, gherkins, cheddar cheese, and eggs. Set aside and prepare the dressing.
- Step 3: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, cider vinegar, granulated sugar, mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until combined and smooth.
- Step 4: Pour dressing over pasta and toss until everything is well coated.
- Step 5: Garnish with just a sprinkle of paprika before serving, if desired.
Notes
Allow at least 1 hour for the salad to chill before serving. This recipe can be easily prepared the night before.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 464 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 602 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg
Keywords: macaroni salad, potluck, creamy pasta salad, side dish, American cuisine