Description
Summertime creamy macaroni salad brings classic American picnic flavors to your table. Simple ingredients blend perfectly for a refreshing side dish you’ll crave at backyard gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (473 ml) elbow macaroni
- 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- ¾ cup (177 ml) mayonnaise
- ¼ cup (59 ml) sour cream
- ⅓ cup (79 ml) sweet pickle relish
- ½ cup (118 ml) shredded carrots
- ½ cup (118 ml) diced celery
- ½ cup (118 ml) diced red bell pepper
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- ¼ cup (59 ml) diced red onion
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water vigorously, then cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop cooking, then spread on a flat surface to cool completely.
- Dressing Creation: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and paprika. Taste and adjust seasonings to achieve a balanced flavor profile.
- Vegetable and Egg Integration: Fold chopped celery, bell pepper, onion, carrots, relish, and eggs into the seasoned dressing, ensuring each ingredient is thoroughly coated and evenly distributed.
- Flavor Melding: Seal the macaroni salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least one hour, allowing flavors to meld and intensify. For optimal taste, let it rest up to 24 hours before serving.
- Final Touches: Before serving, gently stir the salad. If needed, add mayonnaise or milk to restore creamy consistency. Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika, chopped green onions, or parsley for visual appeal and added freshness.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Mushiness: Cook macaroni al dente and rinse immediately with cold water to stop cooking, ensuring a perfect texture without turning soggy.
- Flavor Infusion Technique: Allow salad to rest in refrigerator for at least one hour, enabling ingredients to blend and develop deeper, more complex taste profiles.
- Creamy Consistency Control: Add mayonnaise or milk gradually if salad seems dry, maintaining ideal moisture without overwhelming the dish’s delicate balance.
- Dietary Adaptation Secrets: Substitute regular mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or vegan alternatives for lighter, healthier versions that still deliver rich, creamy satisfaction.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg