Best Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe
Creamy Macaroni Salad is the ultimate side dish for any meal. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the creamy dressing that makes this salad irresistible. Start by cooking the pasta, then mix in the dressing, eggs, and veggies. It’s so fresh and cozy, it’s perfect for a summer cookout or a winter meal. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup and Loaded Potato Skins Recipe.
Why This Best Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- It's creamy and delicious
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Perfect for any meal or potluck
- Better than store-bought
What You'll Need for Best Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 6 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- salt
- black pepper
- Dijon mustard
- apple cider vinegar
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: paprika
📝 Ingredient Notes
- mayonnaise: You can use low-fat or light mayonnaise to reduce calories.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer — Makes quick work of boiling and draining pasta → See on Amazon
- OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set — Ensures accurate measurement of wet ingredients → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe
- Cook Pasta: Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Make Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix Salad: Add cooked pasta, hard-boiled eggs, celery, red bell pepper, and red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Gently mix until well coated.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It should be al dente to maintain a nice texture in the salad.
- Tip: For a lighter version, substitute some of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
- Tip: Add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard for extra flavor.
Storing & Reheating Best Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made up to 1 day ahead.
Freezing Best Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe
Not suitable for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary. Microwave: Not recommended.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a crunchier salad, add some chopped celery or red onion just before serving.
- Best substitution: Substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a healthier version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too dry, add a little more mayonnaise or sour cream.
Want to level up this recipe?
Kuhn Rikon Swiss Classic Stainless Steel Colander — Makes draining and rinsing pasta a breeze → Check price on Amazon
Best Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 6 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
Seasonings
- salt
- black pepper
- Dijon mustard
- apple cider vinegar
Optional Toppings
- chopped fresh parsley
- paprika
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Make Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix Salad: Add cooked pasta, hard-boiled eggs, celery, red bell pepper, and red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Gently mix until well coated.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a crunchier salad, add some chopped celery or red onion just before serving.
- Best substitution: Substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a healthier version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too dry, add a little more mayonnaise or sour cream.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Not suitable for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended.
- Make ahead: Can be made up to 1 day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 480
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 32g
- Carbs: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 170mg
- Sat. Fat: 6g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can make this salad up to 1 day ahead. Store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
If the salad is too dry, add a little more mayonnaise or sour cream. You can also add a tablespoon of milk to the dressing to thin it out.
The air fryer is not suitable for cooking pasta or making macaroni salad.
Greek yogurt is a great substitute for mayonnaise in this recipe. It adds a tangy flavor and reduces calories.
It's not recommended to freeze macaroni salad as the pasta can become mushy and the dressing can separate.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
