Macaroni Salad (Printable)
Tender elbow pasta with crunchy vegetables and tangy mayo-Dijon dressing, chilled and picnic-ready.
# What you need:
→ Pasta
01 - 2 cups 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
# Directions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to cool.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled macaroni, celery, red bell pepper, red onion, carrots, and peas.
03 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until creamy and well blended.
04 - Pour the dressing over the macaroni and vegetable mixture. Gently fold until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - If desired, fold in chopped parsley and hard-boiled eggs for extra flavor and texture.
06 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to develop. Stir gently before serving and adjust seasoning as needed.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It’s the secret weapon for any gathering that calls for an easy, crowd-pleasing side.
- The creamy, tangy dressing absolutely transforms even the humblest bowl of pasta into pure comfort.
02 -
- If you skip rinsing the pasta in cold water, your salad will turn sticky in a heartbeat.
- I once doubled the mayonnaise and realized less is more—too much, and the salad loses that lively balance.
03 -
- Tossing veggies and pasta while slightly damp helps the dressing cling better, but not too wet or it waters things down.
- A splash of pickle juice in the dressing brings a hidden brightness that always gets compliments.