Creamy Macaroni Salad (Printable version)

Tender pasta with crisp vegetables in creamy tangy dressing. Ideal for picnics and summer entertaining.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz elbow macaroni

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup celery, finely diced
03 - 1 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
04 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
05 - 1/2 cup carrots, grated
06 - 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed

→ Dressing

07 - 3/4 cup mayonnaise
08 - 2 tbsp sour cream
09 - 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
10 - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
11 - 1 tsp sugar
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

→ Garnish

14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or chives

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water to stop cooking, and transfer to a large bowl to cool completely.
02 - While pasta cooks, finely dice the celery, red bell pepper, and red onion. Grate the carrots. Thaw frozen peas if frozen. Combine all prepared vegetables in a separate large mixing bowl.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until completely smooth and well combined.
04 - Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl with the prepared vegetables. Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Using a large spoon or spatula, fold gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Taste the salad and adjust salt or pepper as needed. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld together.
06 - Remove from refrigerator and give the salad a quick stir. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or chives just before serving. Serve chilled and enjoy.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The vegetables stay crunchier than you expect, creating this incredible texture contrast with the soft pasta
  • It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a day, making it perfect make-ahead food for busy weeks
  • The tangy dressing walks this perfect line between rich mayonnaise and bright vinegar that keeps you coming back bite after bite
02 -
  • The pasta will soak up dressing as it sits, so if the salad seems perfectly coated when you first make it, it might taste dry the next day unless you thin it with another spoonful of mayo or vinegar
  • Rinsing the cooked pasta thoroughly with cold water is not optional unless you want a gummy, starchy mess that refuses to separate into individual pieces
  • Red onion can be overwhelming, so soaking the diced pieces in ice water for ten minutes while you prep everything else takes down that aggressive bite
03 -
  • Cut all your vegetables slightly smaller than you think necessary because large chunks make the salad difficult to eat elegantly
  • Full-fat mayonnaise is not negotiable here because low-fat versions create this strange, slippery coating that never properly clings to the pasta
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