Summer Macaroni Salad

Brighten up your summer gatherings with this refreshing and creamy Summer Macaroni Salad! Packed with tender elbow macaroni, crisp diced celery, sweet red bell peppers, and pops of fresh peas, this dish is a perfect balance of textures and flavors. The rich, tangy dressing—made with mayonnaise, sour cream, yellow mustard, and a splash of apple cider vinegar—coats every bite, while cubes of cheddar cheese and hard-boiled eggs add a satisfying touch of protein. Quick to prepare and even better after chilling, this classic crowd-pleaser is ideal for BBQs, picnics, or any warm-weather occasion. Whether served as a side dish or a light main, this macaroni salad is sure to be a hit!

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

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 yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 large celery stalks, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 0.5 medium red onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 0.5 cup cheddar cheese, cubed
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

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

Step 3

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

Step 4

Gently fold in the diced celery, red bell pepper, red onion, thawed peas, cubed cheddar cheese, and chopped hard-boiled eggs.

Step 5

Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 6

Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or dill, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(814.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2963.1

Total Fat 210.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 34.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 664.8mg	0%
Sodium 3280.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 223.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.9g	0%
Total Sugars 26.4g
Protein 46.8g	0%

Vitamin D 88IU	0%
Calcium 225.0mg	0%
Iron 9.1mg	0%
Potassium 420.7mg	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: 63.7%

Protein: 6.3%

Carbs: 30.0%