My Favorite Macaroni Salad

Creamy, tangy, and delightfully crisp, "My Favorite Macaroni Salad" is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for picnics, potlucks, and family dinners. This classic comfort dish features tender elbow macaroni tossed in a rich dressing of mayonnaise, sour cream, and yellow mustard, balanced with a touch of apple cider vinegar and a hint of sweetness from granulated sugar. Loaded with crunchy celery, red bell pepper, and red onion, plus the savory goodness of chopped hard-boiled eggs and zesty pickle relish, every bite is packed with flavor and texture. Finished with a sprinkle of smoky paprika, this easy-to-make macaroni salad is ready in just 30 minutes and tastes even better after chilling, allowing the vibrant flavors to meld beautifully. Perfect as a standalone side dish or paired with your favorite barbecue, this timeless recipe is sure to become a staple at your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 stalks celery, finely diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
• 0.5 medium red onion, finely diced
• 3 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 0.25 cup pickle relish
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.

Step 2

While the macaroni cools, prepare the dressing by combining mayonnaise, sour cream, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth and creamy.

Step 3

Add the diced celery, red bell pepper, red onion, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and pickle relish to the bowl with the dressing. Stir to combine evenly.

Step 4

Once the macaroni has cooled, fold it into the mixture, ensuring all the macaroni is well coated with the dressing and ingredients.

Step 5

Season the macaroni salad with salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 6

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 7

Before serving, give the salad a final stir and transfer it to a serving dish. Sprinkle paprika on top for garnish.

Step 8

Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1133.2 grams (1133.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3173

Total Fat 217.50g	279%
Saturated Fat 36.00g	180%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g
Cholesterol 851mg	284%
Sodium 4065mg	177%
Total Carbohydrate 256.20g	93%
Dietary Fiber 15.50g	55%
Total Sugars 47.70g
Protein 55.90g	112%

Vitamin D 132IU	660%
Calcium 317mg	24%
Iron 12mg	65%
Potassium 972mg	21%

*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: 61.1%

Protein: 7.0%

Carbs: 32.0%