Cold Macaroni Salad

Cool, creamy, and bursting with fresh flavors, this Cold Macaroni Salad is the perfect side dish for your next picnic, barbecue, or potluck! Tender elbow macaroni is lightly coated in a tangy dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and a hint of white vinegar, creating a luscious base for a medley of fresh, colorful ingredients like crisp celery, diced red bell pepper, shredded carrot, and hard-boiled eggs. A touch of granulated sugar balances the flavors, while fresh parsley adds a vibrant herbal note. Quick to prepare in just 15 minutes—with a short chill time to let the flavors meld—this make-ahead macaroni salad is a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Serve it cold for a refreshing bite that pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or sandwiches.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 0.5 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 0.25 cup red onion, finely diced
• 1 medium carrot, shredded
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse the pasta under cold running water to cool it down quickly. Set it aside to drain completely.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, white vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to your taste if necessary.

Step 3

Add the cooked and cooled macaroni to the dressing and stir until evenly coated.

Step 4

Gently fold in the celery, red bell pepper, red onion, shredded carrot, hard-boiled eggs, and chopped parsley. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.

Step 5

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together. For best results, chill for 2-3 hours.

Step 6

Before serving, give the salad a quick stir. Garnish with additional parsley if desired. Serve cold and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1074.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3021.6

Total Fat 210.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 34.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 664.8mg	0%
Sodium 3322.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 236.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.0g	0%
Total Sugars 32.9g
Protein 48.6g	0%

Vitamin D 88IU	0%
Calcium 345.6mg	0%
Iron 10.1mg	0%
Potassium 1166.7mg	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: 62.4%

Protein: 6.4%

Carbs: 31.2%