Description
Creamy classic dill pickle macaroni salad brings summer picnic memories to life with tangy crunch and nostalgic flavor. Cool pasta ribbons and crisp pickle bits create a perfect backyard barbecue companion that will delight your taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (473 ml) elbow macaroni, cooked and cooled
- ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
- ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream
- ¾ cup (180 ml) dill pickles, chopped
- ½ cup (120 ml) shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh dill, chopped
- ½ cup (120 ml) celery, finely diced
- ¼ cup (60 ml) red onion, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) dill pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) black pepper
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook macaroni in boiling water until perfectly tender, then immediately cool under cold water to halt cooking process, ensuring a crisp texture.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Ingredient Fusion: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine cooled macaroni with chopped pickles, diced celery, minced red onion, fresh dill, and optional shredded cheddar, creating a vibrant and textured base.
- Flavor Infusion: Drizzle prepared dressing over the salad, thoroughly mixing to ensure every pasta piece is evenly coated. Seal and refrigerate for minimum one hour, allowing ingredients to harmonize and develop rich, tangy flavors.
- Presentation: Gently stir salad before serving, garnishing with additional fresh dill or pickle pieces for an extra burst of color and crunch.
Notes
- Refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour, but preferably 2-3 hours to allow flavors to fully develop and intensify, creating a more delicious taste profile.
- Choose crisp, high-quality dill pickles and drain them thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making the salad watery and diluting the dressing’s flavor.
- Cook macaroni exactly to al dente stage – slightly firm to the bite – to prevent pasta from becoming mushy when mixed with creamy dressing and chilled.
- Swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt to reduce calories, add protein for a healthier version, or include diced ham or bacon for extra protein and flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg