Tangy And Creamy Macaroni Salad (Printable)

Tender macaroni tossed with crisp vegetables in a tangy, creamy dressing. Ideal for gatherings and outdoor meals.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked

→ 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

# How To Make It:

01 - Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to halt cooking. Transfer to a large bowl and allow to cool completely.
02 - In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika until smooth and fully incorporated.
03 - Add cooled macaroni, diced celery, red bell pepper, red onion, and shredded carrots to the dressing. Gently fold with a spatula until all components are evenly coated.
04 - If using, fold in sweet pickle relish and chopped fresh parsley for additional flavor and color.
05 - Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to develop and meld together.
06 - Stir the salad once before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if desired. Serve cold.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The dressing gets tangy from apple cider vinegar but stays perfectly creamy thanks to the sour cream hack
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, making it your go-to for those last minute picnic invites
02 -
  • The pasta will soak up dressing as it sits, so keep a little extra stirred up in case you need to loosen it before serving
  • Room temperature pasta absorbs dressing better than cold, so dont rush the chilling process after mixing
03 -
  • Use a large, wide bowl when mixing—gives you room to fold without crushing the pasta
  • Taste the dressing before adding it to the pasta and adjust the vinegar or sugar to your preference

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