Best Ever Macaroni Salad Recipe
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This easy and colorful macaroni salad looks and tastes amazing! This is the only macaroni salad recipe you’ll ever need!
What summer BBQ would be complete without a macaroni salad? This “best ever macaroni salad” is easy to make, and so delicious, you’ll be making it for every weekend cookout. I get requests to bring this to summer parties, and the bowl is always empty. I haven’t found anything that it doesn’t compliment – hamburgers, steaks, hot dogs, bratwurst, chicken, shrimp, lamb chops, and any and all types of sandwiches. Makes me hungry just thinking about it!
Don’t be daunted by the list of ingredients – this goes together quickly, and the end result is well worth it – it’s so pretty with all the different colored vegetables, and puts other macaroni salad to shame. And if you don’t have time to boil eggs, remember you can always pick them up in your local market, usually right near the fresh eggs – and they are already out of the shell, and ready to chop!
There are several “secret” ingredients that work together put this best ever macaroni salad “over the top.” Apple cider vinegar, mayo and sour cream combine into a rich, creamy dressing with just right amount of tang and “zing.” The sweet pickle relish adds a bit of sweetness. The pimento peppers also add a sweet tang, and depending on the variety you use, the faintest hint of “heat.” The chopped egg adds richness. The last “secret” ingredient is the olives. You can use green olives, or for a change of pace, and even more color, black olives. If you are making a double batch, try a small can of each! You’ll get two different olive flavors and colors. Or if you are not an olive fan, simply omit them – it’s totally completely up to you :)
Do you own an Instant Pot? Did you know that you can cook all kinds of pasta, including macaroni, in it? Cooking pasta is easy already, but even easier in the Instant Pot :) Check out my Instant Pot pasta recipe.
During the winter, when I’m making something like hamburgers, or hot dogs or simple pork chops or oven-fried chicken, I’ll make this and bring back wonderful memories of summer and fall cookouts. It’s also wonderful with anything with barbeque sauce like pulled pork or chicken legs baked in barbeque sauce. This truly is the best ever macaroni salad!
If you like this easy macaroni salad, you will also love these other easy recipes:
Best Ever Potato Salad – this potato salad is truly amazing, click to find out what the secret ingredient is!
Chicken Pasta Salad – this chicken pasta salad is a complete one-dish meal! So filling and yummy, a true crowd pleaser!
Easy Egg Salad – yummy yummy in my tummy! This egg salad recipe is so easy and truly the best ever!
Strawberry Lemonade – this homemade lemonade with fresh strawberries and freshly squeezed lemons is truly amazing! You need it in your life!
Corn and Cheese Salad – another epic addition to your picnic! This unique salad is so addictive, you just won’t be able to stop eating it!
Best Ever Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb macaroni
- 1 tbsp cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 4 oz sliced pimento peppers drained (optional)
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
- 1 green bell pepper finely chopped
- 4 hard-boiled eggs chopped
- 6 oz pitted olives chopped (optional)
- 1/2 tsp sweet paprika optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recommended Kitchen Tools (click the links below to see the items used to make this recipe)
- Collander
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni according to package directions, until tender. Drain and rinse until cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, mayo, sour cream, chopped onion, pimentos, sweet pickle relish, bell pepper, chopped eggs and olives (if using). Add salt, pepper and sweet paprika to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
My family never forgot to make this macaroni salad every holiday celebration, the difference is that we always put some cheese in it. Try it next time, it was great honestly