Karen's Macaroni Salad

Creamy, tangy, and packed with irresistible crunch, Karen's Macaroni Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for picnics, potlucks, and backyard barbecues. This classic recipe combines tender elbow macaroni with a zesty dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, and a hint of sugar and mustard for perfect balance. Freshly diced celery, red bell pepper, and red onion add delightful texture, while chopped hard-boiled eggs lend richness and protein. Finished with a sprinkle of paprika for vibrant color, this chilled macaroni salad is easy to prepare in just 25 minutes and is best enjoyed after a quick stint in the fridge to enhance its bold flavors. Whether served as a side dish or paired with your favorite grilled entrées, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your rotation.

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
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 0.5 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 0.25 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 3 pieces hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoons paprika (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta quickly, then set aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and yellow mustard until smooth.

Step 3

Add the cooked macaroni, diced celery, red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, and chopped hard-boiled eggs to the bowl. Stir well to coat the ingredients with the dressing.

Step 4

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

Step 5

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

Step 6

Before serving, sprinkle the top with a light dusting of paprika for garnish.

Step 7

Serve chilled as a side dish or alongside your favorite main course.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(971.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3098.8

Total Fat 216.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 36.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 850.8mg	0%
Sodium 2228.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 238.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.9g	0%
Total Sugars 37.7g
Protein 53.9g	0%

Vitamin D 132IU	0%
Calcium 296.2mg	0%
Iron 10.3mg	0%
Potassium 707.2mg	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: 62.5%

Protein: 6.9%

Carbs: 30.6%