Description
Summer’s favorite “Creamy Macaroni Salad” brings classic American picnic charm to your table. Cool pasta ribbons mingle with tangy mayo, crisp vegetables, and a secret blend of seasonings that promise delightful bites you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup diced celery
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- ¼ cup diced red onion
Creamy Dressing Ingredients:
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious pot with salted water, bringing it to a rolling boil over high heat for the pasta. Gently introduce macaroni and cook until tender yet firm, following package guidelines precisely.
- Drain the pasta in a colander, immediately rinsing with cold water to halt the cooking process. Spread pasta on a flat surface to cool completely and prevent clumping.
- Whisk together creamy mayonnaise, tangy sour cream, zesty mustard, sharp vinegar, delicate sugar, aromatic salt, cracked pepper, and vibrant paprika in a generous mixing bowl. Taste and calibrate seasoning to personal preference.
- Incorporate crisp celery, vibrant bell pepper, pungent onion, sweet carrots, briny relish, and protein-rich chopped eggs into the seasoned dressing. Thoroughly fold and coat each ingredient, ensuring uniform distribution.
- Seal the salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify. For optimal taste development, let it rest up to 24 hours.
- Prior to serving, gently stir the salad. If mixture appears dry, introduce additional mayonnaise or a splash of milk to restore creamy consistency. Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika, freshly chopped green onions, or delicate parsley for visual appeal.
Notes
- Rinse pasta thoroughly to prevent clumping and ensure each noodle gets perfectly coated with creamy dressing.
- Choose cold water for rinsing pasta to halt cooking process and maintain ideal al dente texture.
- Toast macaroni in a dry skillet briefly before boiling for extra nutty flavor and firmer bite.
- Swap regular mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or light mayo to reduce calories and add tangy complexity.
- Dice vegetables uniformly for consistent texture and even distribution throughout the salad.
- Include fresh herbs like dill or chives for brighter, more vibrant flavor profile.
- Make ahead and let salad sit overnight to allow ingredients to meld and develop deeper taste.
- For gluten-free version, substitute regular macaroni with chickpea or corn-based pasta alternatives.
- Customize by adding protein like diced ham, shredded chicken, or crispy bacon bits.
- Keep salad chilled and avoid leaving at room temperature for extended periods to prevent bacterial growth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg