Tangy And Creamy Macaroni Salad (Printable View)
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
# Cooking Steps:
01 - Prepare elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly in a colander 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, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Whisk vigorously until fully incorporated and smooth.
03 - Add cooled macaroni, diced celery, red bell pepper, red onion, and shredded carrots to the dressing. Using a rubber spatula, fold ingredients gently until evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
04 - If using, incorporate sweet pickle relish and chopped fresh parsley. Fold gently to distribute evenly throughout the salad.
05 - Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or lid. Refrigerate for minimum 1 hour to allow flavors to develop and meld. Before serving, give the salad a final stir and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve cold.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The tangy creaminess strikes that perfect balance between rich and refreshing, making it impossible to stop at just one serving
- You can prep it the night before and it actually tastes better, giving you one less thing to worry about when hosting
02 -
- Rinsing the pasta under cold water isn't optional, it's essential to stop the cooking process and wash away excess starch that would make the salad gummy
- Don't skip the chilling time because the salad needs at least an hour for the flavors to properly develop and the pasta to absorb the dressing
03 -
- Cut your vegetables slightly larger than you think necessary because they'll shrink slightly as they marinate in the dressing
- Taste the dressing before combining with pasta because it's much easier to adjust seasoning at this stage