4.3 from 1,449 votes
THE BEST Macaroni Salad Recipe
This Macaroni Salad combines tender cooked ditalini pasta with diced hard-boiled eggs, crisp celery, red bell pepper, red onion, and sweet pickles. The vegetables add crunch and freshness, while the creamy dressing of mayonnaise, pickle juice, sugar, and Dijon mustard brings a balanced tangy and sweet flavor. Chilling before serving allows the flavors to meld for a refreshing side dish.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings:
12
Calories:
357 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
Salad:
- 1 pound ditalini pasta , or other short pasta or shell
- 3 egg diced, hard-boiled
- 2 celery minced, ribs
- 1 red bell pepper , seeded and minced
- ¼ red onion , minced
- ¼ cup sweet pickles chopped, aka sweet gherkins
Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup pickle juice plus 1 tablespoon
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
- black pepper Kosher salt and freshly ground
- salt Kosher salt and freshly ground
- parsley chopped, if desired
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions, Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until cooled. Shake the colander to toss the pasta, and drain for about 5 minutes, tossing occasionally.
- Transfer the drained pasta to a large bowl. Add the eggs, celery, red bell pepper, red onion and sweet pickles.
- In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, pickle juice, sugar, and Dijon mustard; season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add to the macaroni and toss until evenly coated.
- Season with more salt and pepper to taste then refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Sprinkle with chopped parsley to add a little color if desired.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
357kcal
(18%)
Carbohydrates
37g
(12%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
65mg
(22%)
Sodium
208mg
(9%)
Potassium
157mg
(3%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
494IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
15mg
(17%)
Calcium
22mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 357
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 357kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 65mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 208mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 157mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 494IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 22mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.