Classic macaroni cold salad (Printable Version)

Tender macaroni and crisp vegetables in a creamy tangy dressing, chilled for fresh flavor.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

# Steps:

01 - Boil the elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente following package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside to cool completely.
02 - Combine celery, red bell pepper, red onion, carrots, and peas in a large mixing bowl.
03 - Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
04 - Gently fold cooled macaroni and vegetables into the dressing until thoroughly coated.
05 - Taste the mixture and modify seasoning as preferred.
06 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to blend flavors.
07 - Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or chives before serving, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes, leaving you time to breathe before guests arrive.
  • The creamy dressing coats every piece evenly, so each bite tastes intentional and balanced.
  • It actually gets better as it sits, which means you can make it hours ahead without stress.
02 -
  • Warm pasta mixed with dressing will break down and turn mushy; cold pasta stays intact and actually absorbs flavor better.
  • Taste the dressing before combining everything, because once it's mixed, you can't easily adjust seasonings without disturbing the whole dish.
  • Don't skip the chilling step no matter how hungry you are—the first thirty minutes are when transformation happens.
03 -
  • Make it the day before if you can—the flavors are even more developed, and you'll have one less thing to stress about during your gathering.
  • Keep it covered in the refrigerator, and it stays fresh and delicious for up to three days, getting slightly better as the dressing fully absorbs into everything.
Return