Description
Creamy classic dill pickle macaroni salad brings tangy crunch to summer gatherings. Crisp vegetables and zesty dressing combine for a crowd-pleasing side you’ll want to savor at picnics and barbecues.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups / 473 ml elbow macaroni, cooked and cooled
- 0.5 cup / 118 ml shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 0.75 cup / 177 ml dill pickles, chopped
- 0.5 cup / 118 ml celery, finely diced
- 0.25 cup / 59 ml red onion, finely diced
- 0.25 cup / 59 ml fresh dill, chopped
- 0.5 cup / 118 ml mayonnaise
- 0.25 cup / 59 ml sour cream
- 2 tbsps / 30 ml dill pickle juice
- 1 tsp / 5 ml Dijon mustard
- 0.5 tsp / 2.5 ml garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp / 2.5 ml onion powder
- 0.5 tsp / 2.5 ml salt (or to taste)
- 0.25 tsp / 1.25 ml black pepper
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil macaroni in rapidly bubbling water until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to cease cooking. Spread pasta on a flat surface to cool completely.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, garlic and onion powders, salt, and black pepper until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Ingredient Fusion: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled macaroni with diced pickles, chopped celery, sliced red onion, fresh dill, and optional cheddar cheese. Pour prepared dressing over the mixture, gently folding to ensure thorough and even coating.
- Flavor Melding: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour, allowing ingredients to meld and develop a harmonious taste profile. This resting period intensifies the salad’s overall flavor complexity.
- Final Presentation: Before serving, gently stir the salad to redistribute dressing. Garnish with additional fresh dill or chopped pickles to elevate visual appeal and provide a crisp textural contrast.
Notes
- Perfect Pasta Texture: Cook macaroni just until al dente to prevent mushiness, ensuring each bite maintains a satisfying firm bite without becoming overly soft or sticky.
- Chill Strategy: Allow pasta to cool completely before mixing with dressing to prevent watery consistency and help dressing adhere more effectively to the pasta surface.
- Pickle Juice Power: Use high-quality pickle juice for maximum flavor depth, which acts as a secret ingredient to elevate the overall tanginess and complexity of the salad.
- Dietary Adaptations: Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version, use gluten-free pasta for celiac-friendly option, or replace cheese with nutritional yeast for a vegan alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg