Description
A creamy, bold macaroni salad with tangy pickles, crisp veggies, and a secret spice punch, perfect for backyard cookouts and potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 400 g (3 1/2 cups) elbow macaroni
- 360 g (1 1/2 cups) full-fat mayonnaise
- 120 g (1/2 cup) sour cream
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) white vinegar
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) yellow mustard or Dijon
- 120 g (1/2 cup) sweet pickle relish
- 3 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 60 g (1/3 cup) red onion, finely diced
- 80 g (1/2 cup) celery, finely diced
- 80 g (1/2 cup) bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 15 g (1 tbsp) sugar
- 5 g (1 tsp) Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Optional hot sauce, 1–2 tsp
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until just shy of al dente (about 7–8 minutes), then drain and rinse under cold water.
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Prep the mix-ins: Finely dice the red onion, celery, bell pepper, and chop the hard-boiled eggs. Drain sweet pickle relish and soak diced onion in cold water if necessary.
- Combine pasta and dressing: While the pasta is slightly warm, transfer it to a large bowl, pour the dressing over it, then add the vegetables, eggs, and relish. Toss gently to coat.
- Chill and marry flavors: Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld, up to overnight.
- Finish and serve: Just before serving, sprinkle paprika over top, fold gently, and garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Serve chilled or at cool room temperature.
Notes
Rinse pasta to prevent a gummy texture. Chill for better flavor melding. Add fresh herbs before serving for brightness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing/Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
