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foc2026spring-header-macaroni-salad

Serves: 6

Chill time: 2 Hours

Ingredients

  • 8 oz Dry macaroni
  • 1/2 Cup Finely diced dill pickles
  • 3/4 Cup Finely diced red pepper
  • 1/3 Cup Finely diced onion
  • 8–12 oz Colby Jack cheese, finely cubed

Dressing

  • 3/4 Cup Mayonnaise
  • 1/4 Cup Sour cream
  • 2 tbsp Dill pickle juice
  • 1 tbsp Red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Sugar
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2–3/4 tsp Pepper
  • 1/4 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp Crushed red pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare macaroni noodles according to package directions.
  2. Drain and rinse immediately with cold water.
  3. Drizzle 1 tsp olive oil over the noodles and gently stir so that noodles don’t stick together.
  4. In a large bowl, combine noodles, pickles, bell pepper, onion, and cheese cubes. Stir until well combined.
  5. In a separate bowl, combine dressing ingredients. Whisk until well combined.
  6. Pour dressing over the macaroni salad and toss until well combined.
  7. For best flavor, cover and chill at least 1 hour (preferably 2 hours).
  8. Stir once before serving.

Recipe by Tess Marquardt and originally published in Focus on Carlsbad 2026 Spring edition.

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