Trader Joe's Macaroni Salad
This Trader Joe's Macaroni Salad is an easy macaroni salad, great for holidays, potlucks and picnics. It's made with bread and butter pickles!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. macaroni pasta
- 5 hard cooked eggs, diced (keep 1 egg for garnish)
- 3 celery ribs, finely chopped
- ¼ cup shredded carrots, finely chopped
- 5 mini bell peppers, finely chopped
- ¼ red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup bread & butter pickles, chopped
Make the yummy dressing:
- 1 ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup pickle juice
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 ½ TBSP Dijon mustard
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Parsley, finely chopped for garnish (mix in with the salad, or add on top)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until cooled. Make sure all the water is drained, before proceeding with the recipe.
- Transfer the pasta to a large bowl and add the chopped ingredients (4 eggs, celery, carrots, mini bell peppers, red onion, pickles, and chopped parsley).
Make the dressing:
- Mix the mayonnaise, pickle juice, sugar, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add the dressing to the macaroni mixture and toss.
- Season with more salt and pepper to taste and refrigerate for one hour before serving. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Cut last boiled egg in half or slices and serve!
Notes
Sandy’s tips:
- Storage: Store leftover macaroni salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors deepen over time!
- Make ahead: This salad is perfect for making 1-2 days in advance. The flavors meld together beautifully, making it even more delicious.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Cook your pasta al dente so it holds up well when mixed with the dressing. Overcooked pasta can become mushy.
- Rinse thoroughly: Rinse the pasta with cold water until completely cooled to stop the cooking process and prevent the salad from becoming gummy.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 417kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 105mg, Sodium: 393mg, Potassium: 196mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1187IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 34mg, Iron: 1mg