Tangy And Creamy Macaroni Salad (Printable version)
Classic pasta salad with crunchy veggies and tangy creamy dressing. Ideal for gatherings and outdoor meals.
# What you'll need:
→ Pasta
01 - 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 cup finely diced celery
03 - 1 cup finely diced red bell pepper
04 - 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
05 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
→ Creamy 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 granulated sugar
11 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
→ Optional Add-ins
14 - 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
# Directions:
01 - Cook 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 let cool completely.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika until smooth and fully combined.
03 - Add cooled macaroni, diced celery, red bell pepper, red onion, and shredded carrots to the prepared dressing. Gently fold with a spatula until all ingredients 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. Stir before serving and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve cold.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The tangy creamy dressing hits every perfect note between rich and bright
- It actually gets better after sitting in the fridge making it ideal for prep ahead meals
02 -
- Rinse the pasta thoroughly under cold water or it keeps cooking and turns mushy which will ruin the texture
- The hour long chill time is not optional because it transforms the dish from good to incredible
03 -
- Cut your vegetables into small uniform pieces so every bite gets the perfect ratio of crunch to creaminess
- Taste after the hour long chill since the flavors mellow and often need an extra pinch of salt