Munchkin Mama's Favorite Macaroni Salad

Creamy, tangy, and packed with vibrant flavors, Munchkin Mama's Favorite Macaroni Salad is the ultimate side dish for picnics, barbecues, or weeknight dinners. This crowd-pleasing recipe combines tender elbow macaroni with a luscious dressing made of mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, and a hint of mustard for the perfect balance of creaminess and zing. Finely chopped fresh veggies like celery, red bell pepper, and onion add a colorful crunch, while sweet pickle relish and a touch of sugar enhance the flavor with a subtle sweetness. Chopped hard-boiled eggs lend a hearty texture, making this macaroni salad a standalone star. Garnish with parsley for a burst of fresh flavor before serving cold. Ready in just 30 minutes (plus chilling time) and serving six, this classic macaroni salad is your go-to recipe for effortless, make-ahead deliciousness.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

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
• 1.5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
• 0.5 cup celery, finely diced
• 0.5 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 3 pieces hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and the elbow macaroni. Cook according to package instructions (about 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain the macaroni and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Whisk together until smooth and creamy.

Step 3

Fold in the yellow onion, celery, red bell pepper, and sweet pickle relish into the dressing mixture. Stir until the vegetables are evenly coated.

Step 4

Add the cooled macaroni and chopped hard-boiled eggs to the bowl. Gently toss everything together until the macaroni and eggs are well coated with the dressing and evenly mixed with the vegetables.

Step 5

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or a sprinkle of sugar if desired.

Step 6

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld. For best results, let it chill overnight.

Step 7

Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve cold and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1058.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3114.2

Total Fat 216.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 36.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 850.8mg	0%
Sodium 3720.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 238.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.0g	0%
Total Sugars 37.3g
Protein 54.5g	0%

Vitamin D 132IU	0%
Calcium 316.0mg	0%
Iron 10.3mg	0%
Potassium 833.3mg	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: 62.4%

Protein: 7.0%

Carbs: 30.6%