Creamy Cold Macaroni Salad (Printable)

Tender macaroni tossed with crisp vegetables in a creamy tangy dressing. Ideal for summer gatherings and meal prep.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz elbow macaroni

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup celery, finely diced
03 - 1 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
04 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
05 - 1/2 cup carrots, grated
06 - 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed

→ Dressing

07 - 3/4 cup mayonnaise
08 - 2 tbsp sour cream
09 - 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
10 - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
11 - 1 tsp sugar
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

→ Garnish

14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or chives

# How-To:

01 - Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Allow pasta to cool completely before mixing.
02 - Combine diced celery, red bell pepper, red onion, grated carrots, and thawed peas in a large mixing bowl.
03 - Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until fully incorporated and smooth.
04 - Add cooled macaroni to the vegetables. Pour dressing over the mixture and fold gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to develop.
06 - Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or chives immediately before serving. Serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The dressing hits that perfect balance between creamy and tangy, making it impossible to stop at just one serving
  • It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge, so it is the ultimate make ahead side dish for busy days
02 -
  • Rinsing the pasta with cold water is not optional, it stops the cooking process and washes away excess starch that would make your salad gummy
  • The salad needs at least one hour in the refrigerator, but honestly it is even better the next day when all those flavors have had time to mingle
03 -
  • Cut your vegetables slightly smaller than you think you need to, because big chunks can make the salad harder to eat
  • Let the salad come out of the fridge for about 15 minutes before serving so the flavors wake up a bit
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