The Best Macaroni Salad

Creamy, tangy, and loaded with fresh, colorful veggies, *The Best Macaroni Salad* is the ultimate side dish for any gathering, picnic, or barbecue. This classic recipe combines tender elbow macaroni with a velvety dressing made from mayonnaise, tangy Greek yogurt, and a hint of apple cider vinegar for a perfectly balanced flavor. Crisp diced celery, red bell peppers, shredded carrots, and a touch of sweet pickle relish add a delightful crunch and sweetness, while hard-boiled eggs make it satisfyingly hearty. The secret? Letting it chill in the fridge to allow the flavors to meld into perfection. Quick to prepare and effortlessly customizable, this creamy macaroni salad is a crowd-pleaser you’ll return to time and time again. Serve it chilled with a sprinkle of paprika for a pop of color and added flair! Keywords: creamy macaroni salad, best macaroni salad recipe, easy side dish, picnic recipes, barbecue sides.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

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 plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 0.5 red onion, finely chopped
• 0.5 cup shredded carrots
• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), apple cider vinegar, sugar, and Dijon mustard until smooth.

Step 3

Stir in the diced celery, red bell pepper, red onion, shredded carrots, and sweet pickle relish. Mix well to combine.

Step 4

Add the cooled macaroni and chopped hard-boiled eggs to the bowl. Gently fold everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the dressing and the ingredients are well-distributed.

Step 5

Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 6

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

Step 7

Before serving, sprinkle paprika over the top for a touch of color and extra flavor, if desired.

Step 8

Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1179.8 grams (1179.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2969

Total Fat 191.30g	245%
Saturated Fat 19.30g	97%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 613mg	204%
Sodium 3913mg	170%
Total Carbohydrate 251.30g	91%
Dietary Fiber 17.40g	62%
Total Sugars 46.10g
Protein 57.50g	115%

Vitamin D 88IU	440%
Calcium 315mg	24%
Iron 11mg	59%
Potassium 1373mg	29%

*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: 58.2%

Protein: 7.8%

Carbs: 34.0%