Categories Easy Recipes, Pasta and Noodle Recipes, Salad Recipes, Side Dish, Summer Recipes

Creamy Macaroni Salad

by Annmarie

This macaroni salad is a creamy, tangy, and perfectly textured side dish that has become a summer staple. It’s vibrant, refreshing, and full of flavor, making it the perfect addition to picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings.

Over the years, this recipe has been refined to achieve the ideal balance of smooth dressing and tender pasta, with just the right amount of crunch. It’s a dish that’s requested again and again, earning its place as a true favorite for warm-weather celebrations.

Creamy Macaroni Salad

Creamy Macaroni Salad

Creamy Macaroni Salad

This macaroni salad is a creamy, tangy, and perfectly textured side dish that has become a summer staple. It’s vibrant, refreshing, and full of flavor, making it the perfect addition to picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Cool in the refrigerator: 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 28 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb uncooked macaroni pasta
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1 medium red bell pepper
  • 3 short celery ribs
  • 1/4 cup diced green onion
  • 2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
  • 1 tbsp minced fresh dill weed

Dressing:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt more or less to taste

Instructions

Step-By-Step Instructions

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Notes

  • Storing: Store all the leftovers in the refrigerator. When properly stored in an air-tight container, in the refrigerator, macaroni salad should last 3 to 4 days. 
  • Making Ahead: You can prepare the whole salad a day or two ahead of time and store it in a refrigerator, in an air-tight food storage container. 

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