Summer Macaroni Salad Recipe
Macaroni Salad is a classic and delicious pasta salad recipe every summer cookout, BBQ, potluck, and picnic deserves! Incredibly simple to make, it's filled with fresh vegetables and macaroni tossed in a tangy, slightly sweet, and creamy homemade dressing.
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 221kcal
Ingredients
- 8 oz dry macaroni
- ⅓ cup finely diced sweet pickles gherkins - about 3-4
- ½ red bell pepper finely diced
- 2 stalks celery finally diced or sliced (about ⅓ cup)
- ½ red onions finely diced
Macaroni Salad Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon apple clider vinegar or vinegar of choice
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons prepared mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt and pepper or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water immediately. While the pasta is cooking, dice the vegetables.
- In a large bowl, combine macaroni, sweet pickles, red pepper, celery, and red onion. Gentle stir to combine the ingredients.
- Combine mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sweet pickle juice, sugar, mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a medium-size bowl, or glass measure. Whisk until completely combined.
- Drizzle the dressing over the macaroni salad and toss to combine. I like to start with about ⅓ of the dressing and add more as desired. If any dressing remains, store in a lidded jar in the refrigerator to add later if needed.
- Cover the macaroni salad and chill for at least an hour before serving. Stir and add any remaining dressing if needed.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 264mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g