Creamy Homestyle Macaroni Salad

Name: Creamy Homestyle Macaroni Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 ounces elbow macaroni; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup sour cream; 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon yellow mustard; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 cup finely diced celery; 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper; 1/2 cup finely diced red onion; 1/2 cup shredded carrots

This is the classic, creamy macaroni salad you remember from every summer picnic and family potluck.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 19, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

10 minutes

Total

1 hour 25 minutes

Serves

There is something so comforting about a big bowl of cold macaroni salad. It is the perfect balance of creamy dressing, tender pasta, and crisp vegetables that gives you a little crunch in every bite.

My favorite trick for this recipe is to make sure you rinse the pasta in cold water as soon as it finishes cooking. This stops the noodles from sticking together and keeps the salad from getting gummy once you mix in the mayo.

🧺 Ingredients

16 ounces elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup finely diced celery
1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup finely diced red onion
1/2 cup shredded carrots

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to the package directions until al dente.
2
Drain the pasta and immediately rinse it under cold running water until the noodles are completely cool.
3
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
4
Add the cooled pasta, celery, bell pepper, onion, and carrots to the bowl.
5
Toss everything together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated in the dressing.
6
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving so the flavors have time to mingle.

💡 Tips

If the salad seems a little dry after sitting in the fridge, stir in an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise or a splash of milk before serving. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

#pasta salad #picnic food #potluck side #vegetarian

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