Mom's Cheesy Macaroni Salad

Creamy, tangy, and loaded with bold flavors, Mom's Cheesy Macaroni Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for potlucks, picnics, or family gatherings. This nostalgic recipe combines tender elbow macaroni, cubes of sharp cheddar cheese, and crunchy chopped vegetables like celery, red bell pepper, and onion for a satisfying mix of textures. The rich, velvety dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and a hint of sugar ties everything together with a savory-sweet balance. Hard-boiled eggs add an extra touch of heartiness, making this dish both comforting and irresistibly delicious. Best served chilled, this easy-to-make macaroni salad is a perfect make-ahead side dish that allows the flavors to meld beautifully over time. Perfect for summer barbecues or year-round gatherings, this cheesy classic is guaranteed to be a hit!

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1.5 cups cheddar cheese
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 2 whole celery stalks
• 0.5 whole red bell pepper
• 0.5 whole red onion
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 whole hard-boiled eggs

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, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to halt cooking. Set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, dice the cheddar cheese into small cubes (about 1/4-inch pieces) and set aside.

Step 3

Chop the celery, red bell pepper, and red onion into small, evenly-sized pieces. Peel and cube the hard-boiled eggs.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, and sugar until the dressing is smooth and well-combined.

Step 5

Season the dressing with salt and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste if necessary.

Step 6

Add the cooked, cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly.

Step 7

Add the diced cheddar cheese, celery, bell peppers, red onion, and hard-boiled eggs to the macaroni. Gently fold everything together until the salad is well-mixed.

Step 8

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1098.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3702.4

Total Fat 262.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 62.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.8g
Cholesterol 844.5mg	0%
Sodium 4943.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 248.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.2g	0%
Total Sugars 25.9g
Protein 82.3g	0%

Vitamin D 100IU	0%
Calcium 966.3mg	0%
Iron 9.7mg	0%
Potassium 1088.3mg	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: 64.1%

Protein: 8.9%

Carbs: 27.0%