Description
A creamy, flavorful macaroni salad loaded with colorful vegetables, cheddar cheese, and a tangy Dijon-mayonnaise dressing. Perfect as a side dish for picnics, BBQs, or family dinners, this classic macaroni salad is easy to prepare and served chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Mix-ins
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup diced dill pickles
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Optional Garnish
- Paprika, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta quickly.
- Prepare the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper to create a smooth, tangy dressing.
- Combine pasta and dressing: Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing, tossing gently to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.
- Add vegetables and cheese: Stir in the diced red and green bell peppers, finely chopped red onion, diced celery, chopped parsley, sliced black olives, diced dill pickles, and shredded cheddar cheese until well distributed.
- Season to taste: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed to suit your preference.
- Chill before serving: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, sprinkle with paprika if desired for a touch of color and flavor.
Notes
- For best taste, make the salad a few hours ahead or the day before serving to allow flavors to develop fully.
- You can substitute Dijon mustard with yellow mustard if preferred.
- Feel free to add hard-boiled eggs or cooked bacon for extra protein and flavor.
- Use gluten-free pasta to adapt this salad for gluten intolerance.
- Adjust the amount of mayonnaise and sour cream to your preferred creaminess level.
