Pioneer Woman Pasta Salad: The Ultimate Potluck & BBQ Side Dish

This Pioneer Woman Pasta Salad recipe is set to become your go-to side dish for every summer gathering. If you’re searching for the perfect macaroni salad to impress at potlucks and BBQs, look no further. This recipe, inspired by Ree Drummond herself, delivers on flavor and is incredibly easy to make.

Pioneer woman macaroni salad perfect for summer potlucks and BBQs

Why This Pioneer Woman Pasta Salad Recipe is a Must-Try

As the days get warmer and summer approaches, the craving for classic summer dishes kicks in. And what’s more classic than a creamy, flavorful macaroni salad? This Pioneer Woman recipe elevates the standard macaroni salad to something truly special. It’s been taste-tested and approved as a crowd-pleaser, making it ideal for any occasion from casual backyard barbecues to neighborhood potlucks.

Having first encountered this recipe last winter, it was immediately clear this was a winner. Paired alongside hearty dishes like crockpot country-style ribs, it was a standout side. Imagine it complementing juicy burgers fresh off the grill, grilled steaks, or flavorful chicken kabobs. Summer food just isn’t complete without the perfect side dishes, and this Pioneer Woman pasta salad definitely earns its place at the table. Don’t forget to pair your summer feast with a refreshing cold beer for the ultimate warm-weather experience!

This recipe joins the ranks of beloved celebrity chef summer side dishes, standing proudly next to Ina Garten’s Mac and Cheese with Tomatoes. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients, when combined thoughtfully, can create something extraordinary.

Ree Drummond’s Macaroni Salad Philosophy: A “Religion”

Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman herself, doesn’t just make macaroni salad; she reveres it. Her famous quote perfectly encapsulates her dedication:

“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.”

This passion translates into a recipe that’s far from ordinary. If Ree Drummond’s fervor for macaroni salad isn’t enough to convince you to try this recipe, consider its real-world testing. Taking this pasta salad to neighborhood gatherings proved its universal appeal. The requests for the recipe were non-stop, a true sign of a successful dish. Its popularity stems from a harmonious blend of ingredients, perfectly balanced to create an unforgettable flavor.

One of the best aspects of this Pioneer Woman pasta salad is its practicality. It’s a fantastic make-ahead dish, perfect for potlucks where preparation in advance is key. It travels well and tastes even better after the flavors have had time to meld in the refrigerator. A reliable, make-ahead potluck macaroni salad recipe is truly invaluable during the busy summer months.

Key Ingredients That Make This Macaroni Salad Exceptional

The magic of this Pioneer Woman pasta salad lies in the carefully selected ingredients. Each component contributes to the overall flavor and texture, creating a balanced and delicious side dish.

Elbow Macaroni: A classic choice, and for good reason. American Beauty brand is recommended for its quality and use of American-grown wheat. The shape is perfect for holding the creamy dressing and other ingredients.
Roasted Red Bell Peppers: These add a touch of sweetness and smoky flavor. While roasting your own is an option, using jarred roasted red peppers from the grocery store or olive bar is a convenient and flavorful shortcut. Olive bar peppers often offer a more robust taste.
Sweet Spicy Pickles: The pickles are crucial for that signature tangy-sweet-spicy flavor profile. Quality sweet and spicy pickles are essential. Famous Dave’s spicy pickles are a great store-bought option. Alternatively, homemade spicy pickles, especially those made from store-bought dill pickles, offer an even more intense flavor and sweetness.
Sliced Black Olives: Canned pre-sliced black olives are a simple and effective addition, providing a briny and slightly salty counterpoint to the other flavors.
Red Wine Vinegar: This is the secret weapon in the dressing. Red wine vinegar, with its fruity undertones, adds a vibrant and robust tanginess that elevates this macaroni salad above the rest.
Sweet Onion: Milder than white or red onions, sweet onions, especially Vidalia onions when available, provide a subtle sweetness without overpowering the other ingredients. Green onions can also be used for a milder onion flavor.
Mayonnaise: A high-quality mayonnaise is key to a creamy and rich dressing. Brands like Best Foods, Hellman’s, or Duke’s are recommended for their consistent quality.
Milk or Half and Half: For the ultimate creamy texture, half and half is the preferred choice. It adds richness and body to the dressing, making it luxuriously smooth.
Sugar: Don’t underestimate the sugar! It’s essential for balancing the tanginess of the red wine vinegar and creating a harmonious sweet and savory flavor profile.

Flavor Profile: Tangy, Sweet, and Perfectly Balanced

This Pioneer Woman macaroni salad isn’t just good; it’s exceptionally well-balanced. Here’s why it’s so irresistible:

Light on Mayo: It’s creamy without being overly heavy or greasy, allowing the other flavors to shine through.
Red Wine Vinegar Zing: The red wine vinegar provides a delightful tanginess that cuts through the richness and adds complexity.
Sweet and Spicy Harmony: The combination of sweet pickles, sugar, and optional spicy pickles creates a perfect sweet and spicy balance that’s addictive.
Olive and Pickle Presence: Black olives and pickles aren’t just fillers; they are integral to the flavor profile, adding briny, tangy, and slightly salty notes.
Comforting Elbow Macaroni: Elbow macaroni is the quintessential summer pasta, providing the perfect texture and shape for this classic salad.

This recipe is a slightly tweaked version of Ree Drummond’s original. The adjustments include using Vidalia onions instead of green onions, slightly reducing the vinegar, and then adding it back to taste, ensuring the perfect balance of flavors.

Pioneer Woman’s Best Macaroni Salad Recipe

This simple yet flavorful salad is guaranteed to be a hit. The red wine vinegar dressing is a game-changer, adding a unique depth of flavor you won’t find in typical macaroni salads. Prepare to impress your guests at your next BBQ or potluck with this divine Pioneer Woman creation.

We encourage you to try this Pioneer Woman Macaroni Salad recipe. Once you do, please come back and leave a star rating and comment sharing your experience. And if you have a cherished summer macaroni salad recipe of your own, we’d love to hear about it!

More Summer Pasta Salad Inspiration

Looking for more delicious summer side dish ideas? Explore these related recipes:

And if you need more side dish inspiration for your summer cookouts, check out this collection of Summer cook-out sides. You’re sure to find more recipes to love!

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(Recipe Card – Replicated from Original Article)

Pioneer Woman’s Best Macaroni Salad Ever

Pioneer Woman’s Best Macaroni Salad. Because we all need a perfect macaroni salad recipe! This one will get you through every Summer pot luck and BBQ thrown your way.

4.95 from 17 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 10

Calories: 318kcal

Author: Lea Ann Brown

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.

Nutrition

Pioneer Woman’s Best Macaroni Salad Ever …It’s what’s for a Perfect Summer Side.