Macaroni Salad (Printable)
Creamy macaroni with celery, bell pepper, peas and a tangy Dijon-mustard dressing; chill before serving.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 8.8 ounces elbow macaroni
→ Vegetables
02 - 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
03 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 cup carrots, shredded
06 - 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
→ Dressing
07 - 3/4 cup mayonnaise
08 - 2 tablespoons sour cream
09 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
11 - 1 teaspoon sugar
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Optional Additions
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
15 - 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
# Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled macaroni, celery, red bell pepper, red onion, shredded carrots, and thawed peas. Toss gently to distribute the vegetables evenly.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
04 - Pour the prepared dressing over the macaroni and vegetable mixture. Stir gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - If desired, fold in fresh parsley and chopped hard-boiled eggs until combined.
06 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
07 - Stir salad gently just before serving. Adjust seasoning to taste if needed.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You can toss in whatever crisp veggies you have on hand, and nobody will be the wiser.
- The creamy, tangy dressing sticks perfectly to the macaroni, making each bite extra comforting whether served chilled or room temp.
02 -
- Forgetting to rinse the pasta can turn this salad gluey and heavy.
- Letting the salad chill before serving completely changes how the flavors come together.
03 -
- Mince veggies finely so every bite feels balanced and nothing overwhelms.
- Swapping just part of the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt makes it feel lighter without losing creaminess.