Creamy Macaroni Salad

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Creamy macaroni salad is a tasty side dish for summer gatherings. This old-fashioned recipe brings back memories of family picnics and backyard barbecues. You can make this classic salad in just 15 minutes of prep time, plus about an hour for chilling.

The dressing is a mix of mayo, sour cream, and tangy ingredients like vinegar and mustard. Crunchy veggies add texture and flavor. You can even toss in some chopped hard-boiled eggs if you like. After mixing everything together, let it chill in the fridge so the flavors can blend. Then enjoy your creamy, delicious macaroni salad!

Exact Ingredients List

This creamy macaroni salad recipe uses simple, tasty ingredients. The dressing combines mayo, sour cream, and seasonings. The salad itself features elbow macaroni, crunchy veggies, and optional eggs.

For The Dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons sweet relish

For The Macaroni Salad

• 2 cups dry elbow macaroni
• 1 cup diced celery (2-3 stalks)
• 1/2 medium red onion, diced
• 1/2 red or green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup grated carrot (1 medium carrot)
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
• 2 chopped hard-boiled eggs (optional)

Instructions

Cook 2 cups of elbow macaroni in boiling water for 7 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water, then set aside.

In a big bowl, mix 1/2 cup mayo, 1/4 cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder. Stir in 2 tablespoons sweet relish.

Chop 1 cup celery, 1/2 red onion, 1/2 bell pepper, and 1/4 cup parsley. Grate 1/2 cup carrot. Add these veggies to the dressing along with the cooled pasta.

If you like, chop 2 hard-boiled eggs and add them too. Mix everything well so it’s all coated in dressing.

Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This helps the flavors blend together.

Before you serve, give the salad a good stir. Now it’s ready to enjoy! This recipe makes 8 servings, each with about 230 calories.

Possible Substitutes List

You can swap out some ingredients in this macaroni salad recipe. Here are some tasty options:

Pasta:

• Rotini
• Shells
• Penne
• Bow-tie pasta

Veggies:

• Cucumber instead of celery
• Cherry tomatoes for extra color
• Peas for a sweet crunch

Dressing:

• Greek yogurt in place of sour cream
• Miracle Whip instead of mayo
• Honey instead of sugar

You can also try adding diced ham or bacon for extra flavor. If you don’t like raw onions, use onion powder. For a tangy twist, add a splash of pickle juice to the dressing.

Remember to keep the same amounts when swapping ingredients. This way, your salad will still have the right texture and taste. Feel free to mix and match to create your own unique version!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

You can easily adapt this classic macaroni salad to be more diabetes-friendly. Start by swapping regular pasta for whole wheat or high-fiber pasta. This change lowers the glycemic index and adds more nutrients.

For the dressing, use low-fat or fat-free mayo and Greek yogurt instead of full-fat versions. This cuts calories and fat while keeping the creamy texture. Replace the sugar with a natural sweetener like stevia.

Boost the veggie content by doubling the amount of celery, bell pepper, and carrots. More veggies mean more fiber and nutrients, which help manage blood sugar levels.

Try these smart swaps:

• Regular pasta → Whole wheat pasta
• Full-fat mayo → Low-fat mayo
• Sour cream → Greek yogurt
• Sugar → Stevia

Remember to watch your portion sizes. A smaller serving helps control carb intake. You can also add some lean protein like grilled chicken to make it a complete meal.

By making these simple changes, you can enjoy a tasty macaroni salad that’s better for your blood sugar. Always check with your doctor or dietitian about specific dietary needs.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

For the best macaroni salad, cook your pasta just until al dente. Overcooked noodles can get mushy in the salad. After cooking, rinse the pasta in cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it quickly.

To save time, chop your veggies while the pasta cooks. This way, everything will be ready to mix once the pasta has cooled. For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of celery seed or paprika to the dressing.

Make sure to chill your salad for at least an hour before serving. This lets the flavors blend together. If you’re in a hurry, pop it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes instead.

Store your macaroni salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep well for 3-5 days. Give it a quick stir before serving leftovers, as the dressing may settle.

If your salad seems dry after storing, mix in a spoonful of mayo or sour cream to freshen it up. For a fun twist, try adding diced pickles, olives, or bacon bits just before serving.

Remember to taste and adjust seasonings before serving. A splash of vinegar can brighten the flavors if needed.