Description

This creamy Grandma’s Macaroni Salad is a classic, comforting dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or family gatherings. Featuring tender elbow macaroni tossed in a tangy, rich dressing made from mayonnaise and sour cream, combined with crunchy vegetables and hard-boiled eggs for texture and flavor. Chilled to perfection and garnished with fresh parsley or a dash of paprika, it’s a delicious side that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)

Dressing

½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp sugar (or honey)
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Vegetables and Add-ins

½ cup celery, finely chopped
½ cup red bell pepper, diced
¼ cup red onion, minced
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
¼ cup shredded carrot

Garnish

A dash of paprika or celery seed
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Cook the macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the elbow macaroni. Cook according to the package instructions, usually about 7-8 minutes, until al dente. Drain the macaroni and rinse it thoroughly under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
Prepare the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar (or honey), salt, and black pepper until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
Add vegetables and eggs: To the bowl with the dressing, add the cooled macaroni, finely chopped celery, diced red bell pepper, minced red onion, chopped hard-boiled eggs, sweet pickle relish, and shredded carrot.
Combine ingredients: Gently stir everything until the macaroni and vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy dressing, ensuring a consistent flavor throughout.
Chill and garnish: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together. Before serving, garnish with a sprinkle of paprika or celery seeds and freshly chopped parsley for an added pop of color and flavor.

Notes

For best flavor, chill the salad for several hours or overnight.
Feel free to substitute the sugar with honey for a natural sweetness.
If you prefer a lighter version, reduce the mayonnaise amount or use a low-fat variety.
Additional vegetables like peas or cucumber can be added for extra crunch.
Hard-boiled eggs can be omitted for a vegetarian version.
This salad can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.