Macaroni and Cheese Salad

Creamy, tangy, and packed with vibrant crunch, this Macaroni and Cheese Salad is the perfect fusion of comfort food and fresh flavors! Combining tender elbow macaroni with cubes of sharp cheddar cheese, crisp red bell peppers, celery, and green onions, this recipe is bound together by a luscious dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and a touch of apple cider vinegar for a zesty kick. A hint of sweetness from sugar and the boldness of black pepper elevate every bite. Ready in just 25 minutes and served chilled, it's a crowd-pleasing side dish ideal for summer barbecues, potlucks, or casual family dinners. Elevate your salad game with this irresistible macaroni salad that bursts with cheesy goodness and garden-fresh textures!

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 2 stalks celery stalks
• 3 stalks green onions

Directions

Step 1

Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.

Step 2

While the macaroni cools, dice the sharp cheddar cheese into small cubes and set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.

Step 4

Chop the red bell pepper into small dice, finely slice the celery stalks, and thinly slice the green onions. Add all the chopped vegetables to the mixing bowl with the dressing.

Step 5

Fold in the cooled macaroni and the cubed cheddar cheese, ensuring that everything is evenly coated with the dressing. Be gentle to avoid breaking the macaroni.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 7

Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Before serving, give the salad a gentle toss and garnish with additional green onions or cheese if desired. Serve chilled.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	828.2 grams (828.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2439

Total Fat 152.80g	196%
Saturated Fat 47.50g	238%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 296mg	99%
Sodium 3859mg	168%
Total Carbohydrate 206.50g	75%
Dietary Fiber 12.40g	44%
Total Sugars 25.70g
Protein 63.30g	127%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1037mg	80%
Iron 9mg	49%
Potassium 605mg	13%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 56.0%

Protein: 10.3%

Carbs: 33.7%