Mama's Macaroni Salad

Creamy, tangy, and brimming with vibrant flavors, Mama's Macaroni Salad is the ultimate side dish for any gathering. This classic recipe combines tender elbow macaroni with a luscious dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and a hint of apple cider vinegar for a perfect balance of creaminess and tang. Crunchy celery, sweet red bell pepper, zesty red onion, and optional pickle relish lend a delightful texture, while chopped hard-boiled eggs add richness. Finished with a dusting of paprika for a pop of color, this crowd-pleasing salad is easy to prepare, refrigerates beautifully, and serves as the perfect accompaniment to barbecues, potlucks, or weekday dinners. Make ahead for optimal flavor infusion and wow your guests with this nostalgic favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 pound Elbow macaroni
• 1 cup Mayonnaise
• 0.5 cup Sour cream
• 2 tablespoons Mustard (Dijon or regular yellow)
• 1.5 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 cup Celery, finely chopped
• 0.5 cup Red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 0.25 cup Red onion, finely chopped
• 0.25 cup Pickle relish (optional)
• 3 large Hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Paprika (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water, then set aside to cool.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.

Step 3

Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing and gently stir until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 4

Mix in the chopped celery, red bell pepper, red onion, pickle relish (if using), and chopped hard-boiled eggs. Fold the ingredients together to evenly distribute them throughout the salad.

Step 5

Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if needed.

Step 6

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Before serving, sprinkle the top with paprika for garnish. Serve cold and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1371.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4199.3

Total Fat 221.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 36.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 850.8mg	0%
Sodium 4103.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 454.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.6g	0%
Total Sugars 64.5g
Protein 91.5g	0%

Vitamin D 132IU	0%
Calcium 335.8mg	0%
Iron 20.6mg	0%
Potassium 962.8mg	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: 47.7%

Protein: 8.8%

Carbs: 43.5%