Sylvia's Picnic Macaroni Salad

Brighten up your next outdoor gathering with Sylvia's Picnic Macaroni Salad—a creamy, flavor-packed crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any occasion! This classic side dish combines tender elbow macaroni with a tangy dressing made from mayo, sour cream, and a hint of yellow mustard. Crunchy diced celery, red bell pepper, and shredded carrot add refreshing texture, while sweet pickle relish, hard-boiled eggs, and a touch of apple cider vinegar provide a delightful balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Finished with a sprinkle of paprika for a vibrant garnish, this macaroni salad is easy to make in just 30 minutes and tastes even better after chilling, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve it cold at picnics, backyard barbecues, or potlucks for a dish that's sure to be the star of the spread!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

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
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 stalks celery, finely diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 large carrot, shredded
• 0.5 cup red onion, finely diced
• 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 3 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside to cool completely.

Step 2

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

Step 3

Add the diced celery, red bell pepper, shredded carrot, red onion, pickle relish, and chopped hard-boiled eggs to the bowl with the dressing. Stir until evenly distributed.

Step 4

Gently fold in the cooled macaroni, ensuring every piece is well coated in the dressing.

Step 5

Season the salad with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir once more to incorporate the seasoning evenly.

Step 6

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Before serving, give the salad a quick stir to redistribute the dressing. Garnish the top with a light sprinkle of paprika for added color and flavor.

Step 8

Serve chilled as a delicious side dish for your picnic or gathering.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1269.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3217.1

Total Fat 217.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 36.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 850.8mg	0%
Sodium 4083.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 262.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.7g	0%
Total Sugars 50.2g
Protein 57.1g	0%

Vitamin D 132IU	0%
Calcium 360.8mg	0%
Iron 11.6mg	0%
Potassium 1384.3mg	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: 60.5%

Protein: 7.1%

Carbs: 32.4%