Carla's Macaroni Salad

Brighten up your next gathering with Carla's Macaroni Salad, a classic side dish elevated by vibrant flavors and creamy textures. This recipe marries tender al dente elbow macaroni with a luscious dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, tangy white vinegar, and a touch of Dijon mustard for a subtle kick. Crunchy celery, sweet shredded carrots, and colorful red bell peppers add refreshing crispness, while finely minced red onion and chopped hard-boiled eggs lend bold contrast and richness. A sprinkle of fresh parsley brings a final burst of color and earthy flavor. Ready in just 30 minutes and perfect for chilling ahead, this crowd-pleaser is ideal for picnics, potlucks, or weekday meals. Serve it as a cool, creamy companion to grilled favorites or enjoy it on its own for a light, satisfying treat!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

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
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1.5 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, shredded
• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 0.25 cup red onion, finely minced
• 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, white vinegar, Dijon mustard, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and well combined.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Stir in the finely chopped celery, shredded carrot, red bell pepper, red onion, and chopped hard-boiled eggs. Mix gently but thoroughly to evenly distribute the ingredients.

Step 5

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

Step 6

Before serving, give the macaroni salad a quick stir and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed.

Step 7

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve chilled as a side dish or light meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1240.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3191.2

Total Fat 220.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 36.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 850.8mg	0%
Sodium 3930.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 248.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.8g	0%
Total Sugars 41.7g
Protein 55.6g	0%

Vitamin D 132IU	0%
Calcium 386.3mg	0%
Iron 11.0mg	0%
Potassium 1434.0mg	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: 62.0%

Protein: 6.9%

Carbs: 31.0%