Description
This creamy macaroni salad is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, perfect for summer gatherings. With a tangy dressing and fresh vegetables, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz dry macaroni noodles
- ½ cup finely diced sweet gherkins
- ¾ cup finely diced red bell pepper
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced celery
- ⅓ cup finely diced red onion
- 2 large hard-boiled eggs, finely diced
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 Tbsp sweet pickle juice
- 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp garlic powder
- ⅛ tsp crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the 8 oz dry macaroni noodles and cook for exactly 8 minutes, or until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once done, drain and rinse the macaroni under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- After rinsing, toss the macaroni with a drizzle of olive oil to keep it from clumping together. You want to see a light sheen on the noodles—this ensures they’re well-coated.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled macaroni with ½ cup finely diced sweet gherkins, ¾ cup finely diced red bell pepper, ⅓ cup thinly sliced celery, ⅓ cup finely diced red onion, and 2 large hard-boiled eggs that have been finely diced. Mix gently to avoid breaking the eggs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing: ¾ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 2 Tbsp sweet pickle juice, 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 Tbsp sugar, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, ⅛ tsp garlic powder, and ⅛ tsp crushed red pepper. Aim for a smooth consistency—if it feels too thick, you can add a splash of pickle juice.
- Pour the dressing over the macaroni mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. You should see each piece of macaroni glistening with dressing—this is a good indicator that you’ve done it right.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld beautifully. If you can wait until the next day, it will taste even better!
- Before serving, give the salad a good stir to redistribute the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary—sometimes a little extra salt or a splash more vinegar can elevate the dish. Serve chilled, and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling and Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: For a lighter version, consider using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. Don't skip the chilling time, as it allows the flavors to develop.