Cajun Macaroni Salad

Spice up your summer potlucks and picnics with this irresistibly creamy Cajun Macaroni Salad! Featuring tender elbow macaroni tossed in a zesty dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, bold Cajun seasoning, and a touch of tangy apple cider vinegar, this dish brings a lively twist to a classic favorite. Crunchy celery, vibrant red bell peppers, crisp green onions, and sweet pops of thawed peas balance the heat, while a dash of paprika adds the perfect smoky finish. Ready in just 30 minutes (with a quick chill for the flavors to meld), this salad is an easy, crowd-pleasing side dish that pairs beautifully with grilled meats or seafood. Perfect for meal prep or entertaining, serve this chilled delight and watch it disappear!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 1.5 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 celery stalks (chopped)
• 1 red bell pepper (diced)
• 3 green onions (thinly sliced)
• 0.5 red onion (finely chopped)
• 1 cup frozen peas (thawed)
• 0.5 teaspoons paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Cajun seasoning, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard until smooth and well combined.

Step 3

Add the cooked and cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing. Toss to coat evenly.

Step 4

Fold in the chopped celery, diced red bell pepper, sliced green onions, finely chopped red onion, and thawed peas. Mix gently to combine.

Step 5

Season the salad with paprika, salt, and black pepper, adjusting to taste.

Step 6

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 7

Before serving, give the salad a final toss and adjust seasoning, if needed. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1197.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3064.0

Total Fat 203.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 292.8mg	0%
Sodium 5312.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 263.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.8g	0%
Total Sugars 37.4g
Protein 47.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 342.6mg	0%
Iron 12.3mg	0%
Potassium 1467.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 59.6%

Protein: 6.1%

Carbs: 34.2%