Tangy And Creamy Macaroni Salad (Printable)

Classic pasta salad with crisp vegetables in a tangy, creamy dressing. Ideal for gatherings and outdoor meals.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 2 cups uncooked 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, shredded

→ Dressing

06 - 3/4 cup mayonnaise
07 - 1/4 cup sour cream
08 - 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
09 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
10 - 2 teaspoons sugar
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Optional Add-ins

14 - 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# Directions:

01 - Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Allow to cool completely.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika until smooth and creamy.
03 - Add cooled macaroni, celery, red bell pepper, red onion, and carrots to the dressing. Gently fold until evenly coated.
04 - If using, fold in sweet pickle relish and chopped fresh parsley for added flavor and freshness.
05 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Stir before serving and adjust seasoning if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The dressing hits every note, tangy and creamy without being heavy
  • Crunch from fresh vegetables keeps each bite interesting
  • It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge, making it perfect make ahead food
02 -
  • Never skip the refrigeration time, the flavors need that hour to really marry
  • The salad will thicken in the fridge, so stir it right before serving and add a splash of milk if needed
  • Homemade mayonnaise changes everything if you have the time
03 -
  • Cut your vegetables slightly smaller than you think you need, they should be in every bite
  • Use a sharp knife to dice everything uniformly, so no one gets a huge chunk of onion

Return