Pioneer Woman’s favorite Macaroni Salad recipe, because we all need a perfect macaroni salad recipe! This recipe is part of my classic American comfort food collection and one that will get you through every Summer pot luck and back yard BBQ thrown your way.
And check out my Chicken Macaroni Salad if you're looking for a main course pasta dish.
What You Can Expect From This Recipe
We’ve been enjoying Summer-like temperatures in Colorado and before July melts into August, I wanted to share a recipe I found over at Pioneer Woman. She calls it the “best macaroni salad ever” and to me, it just may be perfect.
Why is it so good? The Flavor Profile:
- Not too heavy with mayo
- Just right with red-wine vinegar
- Tangy, sweet and spicy in a perfect way
- There are black olives involved
- There are pickles involved
- Elbow macaroni – perfect Summer comfort pasta
Ree Drummond takes her macaroni salad seriously. And I love this quote from her on the subject:
“I love, love, love, adore, and love macaroni salad. I'm also picky, picky, picky, particular, and picky about macaroni salad. No joke. Macaroni salad is a religion to me.”
If that doesn’t inspire you to give this pasta salad recipe a try …
The Popularity Factor
Potlucks and back yard BBQ parties are a great way to know if a recipe is a keeper or not. I’ve taken Ree Drummond’s pasta salad recipe to a couple of neighborhood parties over the past couple of weeks, and let me tell you, I should have doubled the recipe.
- This simple salad is creamy, full of flavor and absolutely divine. I’ve never used red wine vinegar for a pasta salad before and I truly love the unique robust flavor it brings.
- Every time I make this I’m asked for the recipe. Always a grand compliment, right? It seems this macaroni salad is filled with just the right things and the balance of those “things” that work so well.
- And it’s perfect for any pot luck because it travels well and can be made ahead. You have to love a good make-ahead pot luck macaroni salad. With all that said, Pioneer Woman Macaroni Salad recipe is a keeper.
I truly believe you’ll love every single bite. As will your back yard BBQ pot-luck-lovin’ guests.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Elbow Macaroni: I always choose American Beauty brand. A classic choice. Why? Because they are an American pasta company and only use high quality wheat from American farmers. And being a third generation Kansas wheat farmer, that means a lot to us.
- Roasted Red Bell Peppers. Of course you can roast your own fresh sweet bell peppers, but make it easy on yourself. Purchase a jar from the condiment aisle at the grocery store, or even better yet, grab a couple from the olive bar. I think they have more flavor.
- Sweet Spicy Pickles. The pickles are important in this recipe, so you may be asking, what pickles are best for pasta or macaroni salads? Choose a quality sweet and spicy pickle for optimal flavor. Famous Dave’s makes a great tasting spicy pickle. And they are easily found on our grocery store shelves. I’ve also used these homemade spicy pickles made from store bought dill pickles. They’re sweet and they’re jam packed full of flavor. It’s by far our favorite homemade pickle recipe and one of the most popular recipes on my site. Give-em a try, even if you don’t use them for this recipe.
- Sliced Black Olives: Make it easy on yourself. Purchase a can of pre-sliced ripe olives for this recipe.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Yup, red wine vinegar is made from red wine. That means the secondary flavor of this vinegar is fruity. Making it punchier, vibrant and robust. I love it in this macaroni salad recipe.
- Sweet Onion: Milder in flavor than white or red onions, sweet onions are my choice for most every recipe. And better yet if you can find Vidalia onions. Green onions are also a good choice here.
- Mayonnaise: Always choose consistent quality brands. Best Foods, Hellman’s or Dukes.
- Milk or Half and Half: My vote is for half and half for this recipe. Why mess with fat calories at this point. After all, you’re after the creamiest macaroni salad you can make.
- Sugar: Somewhat of the backbone of this recipe. It balances the tangy flavor of the vinegar. Don’t skip it.
What To Serve It With
I first made Pioneer Womans Pasta Salad last Winter as a test and a warm up for Summer grilling season and served it with one of my favorite easy rib recipes, Crockpot Country Style Ribs. And I knew it would be a perfect side dish for any main course you can dream up this Summer.
Summer food! Burgers, tomatoes, steaks, cucumbers, chicken kabobs, sweet corn…what am I missing? How about a cold beer to swill it all down with?
This is one of my favorite celebrity Summer macaroni side dish, along side Ina Garten’s Mac and Cheese with Tomatoes. Check that one out.
Recipe for Pioneer Woman’s Favorite Macaroni Salad
I hope you give this recipe for Pioneer Woman’s Macaroni Salad a try, and if you do, please come back and give the recipe a star rating. And please leave a comment about your experience with the recipe.
Explore More Classic American Comfort Food Pasta Salads
And if you’re looking for even more side dishes for picnic style gatherings, don’t miss this line-up of Summer cook-out sides. I’m positive you’ll find something you love.
If you liked this recipe, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment. I always appreciate your feedback and hearing how everything went.
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Pioneer Woman’s Favorite Macaroni Salad Ever
Ingredients
- 4 cups elbow macaroni
- 3 whole roasted red peppers chopped
- ½ cup sweet and spicy pickle diced
- ½ cup black olives sliced
- ½ cup sweet onion diced
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar adding more to taste, up to 3 tablespoons
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- plenty fresh ground black pepper
- ¼ cup half and half or milk
- 2 teaspoons pickle juice
Instructions
- Cook macaroni in lightly salted water till done. Drain in a colander. Set aside.
- Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, milk and pickle juice in medium sized bowl.
- In large bowl place cooked macaroni. Add about ¾’s of the mayonnaise mixture to the macaroni.
- Next add the peppers, pickles, olives and onions. If needed, add the remaining dressing.
- Add a splash of pickle juice to the salad. The salad dressing will thicken up after refrigeration.
- Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.
Video
Nutrition
If you liked this recipe, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment. I always appreciate your feedback and hearing how everything went.
And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Make it a delicious day … every day.
Pioneer Woman Macaroni Salad…It’s what’s for a Perfect Summer Side.
Why Trust My Recipes? I am a Culinary School Graduate and a lifelong student of home cooking. I hope to inspire you try to cook as often as you can. I’ve been cooking for 50 years, and my recipes are tried and true tested and tested and then tested again before published. To read more take a look at my About Page.
Thanks Ree! I’ve made this recipe 4 times since I first found it about two months ago! Family loves it ♥️ I use Ditalini (also known as salad macaroni) because I really prefer it to elbow mac .
I also add some chopped celery
I am also a mac salad “snob” so very happy to have found your recipe!!
Evreytime I make this salad it disappears.
I’ve made this macaroni salad several times and it never disappoints. People come back for seconds. I’ve also thrown some fresh corn in the salad and it tastes great with everything else mixed in.
Hi Carol and thanks so much for your note. I’m with you, pretty much a perfect combo of flavors and textures. Thanks for taking the time to write a review. Make it a delicious day,Lea Ann
The best I have ever had, minus the sweet pickels.
Amazing. This is really good !!!! I used balsamic and it was delicious. Cut the olives well if you want to hide them from kids.
Once you have this macaroni salad you will never go back to making the old dry mayo clumping recipe. I’ve made this for many years now. It is the best. I usually add chopped hard boiled eggs to it though.
Fabulous and thanks for taking the time to write a review Gail. Love your idea for chopped hard boiled eggs.
Love this salad! We add a couple of finely diced, seeded jalapeños for some extra spice. YUM!
I love, love, love that idea of the jalapenos. Thanks for the idea and so glad you liked the recipe. Thanks for taking the time to write a review.
So delicious I make all the time. Even the grandkids will ask me to make for them.
Question: is that 4 cups uncooked macaroni or cooked?
Hi Janet. It’s 4 cups of uncooked macaroni.
Just made it, Lea Ann, and had a little taste before letting it sit until dinner. Yummy! I halved the recipe – it’s only Bob and I. Happy summer!
I love the black olives and who thought of putting milk in a pasta salad! 🙂
I’ll just have to make some to check out Ree’s claim 🙂 I love the sound of the peppers and pickles in this recipe!
Hi Lea Ann, going to a pot luck this week-end, will be taking this salad, looks delicious!!!
Hope you like it. Let me know. We thought it was perfect.
Hey Lea Ann—This is great and we enjoyed it at the B&B as a snack appetizer—funny I had all the ingredients
at the INN –Love all the recipe’s on your site—Hope you keep them coming and have a great Summer–Greetings from Dundee Manor and the Oregon Wine Country!!
It is always so good to hear from you Brad. Thanks for the input.
OK – I’m buying the ingrdients tomorrow when I’m at Whole Foods. Sounds delicious!
Let me know what you think of the recipe Barb.
Best ??? ever is always a pretty big brag but if you say it then it must be so. I like all of the ingredients in it but can’t imagine eating it from that piled high bowl without having it all over the table. See you soon. Larry
That’s Pioneer Woman’s claim Larry. But I have to admit, I think it’s really quite perfect. And, as Julia Child said, if your food comes out looking perfect, it means that someone’s hands have been all over it. 😉