Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Best Macaroni Salad is a creamy and easy recipe, which is made with sweet roasted red peppers and tangy pickles. It’s the perfect side dish for any potluck or barbecue, ready in about 20 minutes plus chilling time.
Pioneer Woman Best Macaroni Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp. red wine or distilled vinegar
- 3 tsp. sugar, plus more or less to taste
- 1/4 tsp. salt, plus more to taste
- Plenty of black pepper
- 1/4 cup milk, plus more if needed
- Splash of pickle juice, plus more to taste
- 3 whole roasted red peppers, diced, plus more to taste (can also use pimentos)
- 1/2 cup black olives, finely chopped
- 6 sweet/spicy pickle slices, diced (about 1/2 cup diced)
- 3 green onions, sliced (white and dark green parts)
How To Make Pioneer Woman Best Macaroni Salad
- Cook and cool the macaroni: Cook the macaroni in a large pot of lightly salted water according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain it in a colander and rinse it under cold water until completely cool. Set aside.
- Mix the dressing: In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Whisk in enough milk to make the dressing pourable. Add a splash of pickle juice for extra flavor. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Combine macaroni and dressing: Place the cooled macaroni in a large bowl. Pour about three-fourths of the dressing over the top and toss to combine. Add more dressing if you’d like. The dressing will seem a little thin at first, but it will thicken as the salad chills.
- Add the mix-ins: Gently stir in the diced roasted red peppers, chopped olives, diced pickles, and sliced green onions. Add an extra splash of pickle juice and stir again.
- Chill and serve: Cover the bowl and chill the salad for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. Garnish with extra sliced green onions before serving.
Recipe Tips
- How to prevent a dry macaroni salad? Don’t be afraid if the dressing seems a bit thin when you first mix it. The pasta will absorb a lot of the dressing as it chills. If it still seems dry before serving, you can stir in an extra splash of milk to loosen it up.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely. This salad is even better when made a few hours or even a day in advance. This gives the pasta time to soak up all the flavors from the dressing.
- Can I add other ingredients? Yes, this is a great base recipe. Feel free to add other classic macaroni salad ingredients like finely chopped celery for crunch, diced hard-boiled eggs, or small cubes of cheddar cheese.
- How to keep the pasta from getting mushy? Rinsing the cooked pasta under cold water is a crucial step. It stops the cooking process immediately and washes away excess starch, which helps prevent the noodles from becoming sticky or mushy.
What To Serve With Macaroni Salad
This is a classic side dish that is a staple at picnics, potlucks, and barbecues. It pairs perfectly with:
- Grilled chicken or steak
- Hamburgers and hot dogs
- Pulled pork sandwiches
- Fried chicken
How To Store Macaroni Salad
- Refrigerate: Store the macaroni salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It may become a little dry as it sits, so you might need to stir in a splash of milk before serving leftovers.
Macaroni Salad Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 8g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes. If you don’t have elbow macaroni, other small pasta shapes like small shells, ditalini, or rotini would work perfectly.
Why rinse the pasta in cold water?
Rinsing the pasta immediately after cooking stops the cooking process, ensuring the noodles don’t become overcooked and mushy. It also removes surface starch, which can make the salad gummy.
My salad seems bland. What can I do?
Be sure to taste and adjust the seasonings in the dressing before you add it to the pasta. This recipe gets a lot of its u0022zingu0022 from the pickle juice and vinegar, so don’t be afraid to add another splash if you think it needs it.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Blueberry Chicken Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Salad Recipe
Pioneer Woman Best Macaroni Salad Recipe
Description
A classic, creamy, and flavorful macaroni salad packed with roasted red peppers, olives, and pickles in a simple and tangy dressing.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, milk, and a splash of pickle juice to make the dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled macaroni with about ¾ of the dressing and toss to coat.
- Stir in the roasted red peppers, olives, pickles, and green onions.
- Cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Stir in a little more dressing or a splash of milk before serving if needed.
Notes
- u003cliu003eChilling the salad for at least 2 hours is the most important step for the best flavor.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor a shortcut, you can use a jar of pimentos instead of dicing roasted red peppers.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis is the perfect make-ahead side dish for a party or potluck.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t be afraid to customize this recipe with your favorite mix-ins.u003c/liu003e
