Description
Classic macaroni salad is a creamy and delicious pasta salad that is easy to throw together. It's the perfect side to bring to a summer potluck or BBQ.
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1/2 medium red onion, sliced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 medium carrot, shredded
- 1 rib celery, diced
- 1 pickle, diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes or according to package instructions. Drain and rinse pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and to cool the pasta down.
- In a large mixing bowl or serving, combine cooked pasta, red onion, bell pepper, carrot, celery, and pickle.
- In a small mixing bowl, stir together mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, mustard, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add dressing to salad and toss to combine.
- Serve immediately, or cover the bowl tightly with plastic cling wrap and refrigerator for at least 2 hours (or overnight for the best results). This will allow the flavors to really infuse into each other.
Notes
Make ahead instructions: Macaroni salad is great for meal prep. To prepare an easy meal on the go, pre-portion the macaroni salad into smaller meal prep containers that you can grab on your way out of the house.
How to store: Store macaroni salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
How to freeze: Store macaroni salad in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossed
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: macaroni salad, classic macaroni salad, how to make macaroni salad, macaroni pasta salad, easy macaroni salad