Classic Macaroni Salad (Printable Version)
Tender macaroni tossed with crunchy vegetables and a tangy, creamy dressing—chilled and ideal for warm-weather gatherings.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
→ 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 granulated 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, peeled and chopped
# How-To Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
02 - Transfer cooled macaroni to a large mixing bowl. Add celery, red bell pepper, red onion, carrots, and thawed peas. Toss gently to combine.
03 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and cohesive.
04 - Pour dressing over macaroni and vegetable mixture. Stir gently until all ingredients are evenly coated without breaking up the pasta.
05 - If desired, fold in chopped parsley and hard-boiled eggs. Mix until evenly distributed.
06 - Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to combine fully. Stir gently before serving and adjust seasoning if necessary.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- I swear your friends will ask for seconds once they taste the creaminess paired with all those crisp veggies.
- It’s a lifesaver for last-minute gatherings since you can make it ahead and adjust it to whatever you have on hand.
02 -
- Once I forgot to rinse the pasta and ended up with a sticky mess—cold water is truly non-negotiable here.
- Mixing the dressing separately keeps the salad from turning gluey; that discovery changed everything for me.
03 -
- Don’t skip rinsing the macaroni in cold water—the texture’s a game changer.
- A whisper of Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar gives the salad that secret, crave-worthy tang.