Macaroni Salad with Creamy Dressing
A quick, cool, and creamy macaroni salad that's perfect for any gathering, packed with flavor and crunch.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 oz Elbow macaroni Classic for grabbing the dressing.
Creamy Dressing
- 1 cup Mayonnaise Use your favorite brand.
- 1/2 cup Sour cream or Greek yogurt Adds tang to the dressing.
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard Just enough to wake up the flavors.
- 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar or pickle juice For tangy flavor.
- 1 tbsp Sugar Adjust to taste for balance.
- 1 tsp Salt Season to taste.
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper Season to taste.
Crunchy Add-Ins
- 1 cup Celery, diced Adds crunch.
- 1/2 cup Red onion or green onion, diced For mild bite.
- 1/2 cup Dill pickles, diced Optional for extra zip.
- 2 large Hard boiled eggs, chopped Optional for a homey feel.
Garnish
- 1 tsp Paprika For a classic look.
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until just tender.
- Drain, rinse with cold water to stop cooking, and cool.
- In a separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar or pickle juice, sugar, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
Combining
- In a large bowl, combine cooled macaroni, celery, red onion, dill pickles, and optional eggs.
- Pour dressing over all ingredients and mix well.
Chilling
- Chill the salad for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Stir in a little extra dressing before serving if needed.
Serving
- Serve cold as a side dish with grilled foods or at potlucks.
Notes
For best results, taste and adjust the seasoning after chilling. Save a bit of dressing to freshen up the salad before serving.