Description
Macaroni salad is a creamy, comforting salad made with cooked pasta, finely diced vegetables, and a tangy mayonnaise-based dressing, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a homemade side dish. Easily paired with grilled meats, sandwiches, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
– ½ pound elbow macaroni (substitute ditalini, farfalle, or rotini if needed)
– ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
– 1 rib celery, finely diced
– ½ red bell pepper, finely diced
– ¼ cup carrots, finely shredded and squeezed dry
For the Dressing:
– ½ cup mayonnaise (substitute Greek yogurt or olive oil-based dressing for vegan diets)
– ¼ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
– 2 tbsp milk
– 2 tbsp cider vinegar (substitute red wine vinegar or lemon juice if needed)
– ½ tbsp granulated sugar
– ½ tbsp Dijon mustard
– ½ tsp salt
– ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Rinse with cold water, drain, and cool completely before adding the dressing.
- Finely dice red onion, celery, and red bell pepper. Shred carrots and squeeze out excess moisture.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss together cooled pasta, diced vegetables, and shredded carrots.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, cider vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Pour half of the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until well coated. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Stir in additional dressing before serving, adding a splash of milk if desired for a thinner sauce.
Notes
– Use fresh, high-quality vegetables for maximum crunch and flavor. Substitute plant-based ingredients for vegan diets.
– Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–5 days. Freeze undressed salad for longer storage; thaw overnight in the fridge before adding dressing. Avoid microwaving to preserve texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad / Side Dish
- Method: American / Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: ~300
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg