Name: Ultimate Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe in Just 4 Steps
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups elbow macaroni; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons sour cream; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 cup diced celery; 1/4 cup diced red onion; 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper; 1/4 cup shredded carrot; 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Nothing says summer like a big bowl of creamy macaroni salad chilling at the center of a picnic table. This is the side dish that disappears first at every potluck—trust me, I’ve seen it happen at least a dozen times! What makes it so irresistible? That perfect combo of tender pasta, crisp veggies, and a rich, tangy dressing that coats every bite. Whether you’re packing it for a backyard BBQ or whipping up a quick lunch, this creamy macaroni salad recipe is my go-to. It’s versatile enough to customize with whatever veggies you have on hand, but always delivers that nostalgic, satisfying creaminess we all crave.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Macaroni Salad

This isn’t just any macaroni salad—it’s the one you’ll keep coming back to all summer long. Here’s why:

Effortless to make: Just boil, mix, and chill—no fancy techniques needed!
Total crowd-pleaser: Kids and adults alike go crazy for that creamy, tangy dressing.
Endless customization: Swap veggies, add protein, or tweak the dressing to match your mood.
Picnic perfection: Travels well and tastes even better after chilling overnight.

Honestly? The hardest part is not eating the whole bowl before the party starts.

Ingredients for Creamy Macaroni Salad

Here’s everything you’ll need to make that dreamy, creamy macaroni salad we all love. I’ve sorted them by category so you can prep like a pro—no frantic fridge searches halfway through mixing!

For the pasta: 2 cups elbow macaroni (that classic shape holds the dressing perfectly)
For the creamy dressing: 1/2 cup mayonnaise (the richer, the better!), 2 tablespoons sour cream for tang, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the crunch: 1/2 cup diced celery, 1/4 cup diced red onion (soak in cold water for 5 minutes if you want milder flavor), 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper, and 1/4 cup shredded carrot (I just use the large holes on my box grater)
For freshness: 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (none of that dried stuff here—trust me!)

That’s it! Simple, fresh ingredients that come together like magic.

How to Make Creamy Macaroni Salad

Alright, let me walk you through making this dreamy macaroni salad—it’s so simple, you’ll be tempted to make it weekly! Follow these steps, and you’ll get that perfect balance of creamy and crisp every time.

Cook the pasta just right: Boil your macaroni in salted water until it’s al dente (usually about 7-8 minutes—don’t let it get mushy!). Drain it, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Shake that colander like you mean it to get rid of excess water—nobody wants a watery salad.
Mix the dressing with love: In your biggest mixing bowl (trust me, you’ll need the space), whisk together the mayo, sour cream, Dijon, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Taste it—want more tang? Add another splash of vinegar. Too thick? A teaspoon of water loosens it right up.
Combine everything gently: Add the cooled macaroni, celery, red onion, bell pepper, carrot, and parsley to the bowl. Now here’s the key—fold it all together with a big rubber spatula until every noodle is coated, but don’t overmix! Those veggies should stay crisp.
Let it chill out: Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour (overnight is even better!). This lets the flavors mingle and the pasta soak up that creamy goodness. Give it one last stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.

Pro Tips for the Best Creamy Macaroni Salad

Want to take your salad from good to “Can I get your recipe?” great? Here are my secrets:

Chill your dressing first—cold ingredients help the salad stay fresh longer.
Undercook the pasta by 1 minute—it’ll soften perfectly while chilling.
Taste and adjust after chilling—sometimes it needs an extra pinch of salt or splash of vinegar once cold.

Variations for Your Creamy Macaroni Salad

This recipe is like your favorite little black dress—perfect as-is but so fun to accessorize! Here are my go-to twists when I’m feeling fancy:

Bacon makes everything better: Toss in 1/2 cup crispy crumbled bacon and a handful of cheddar cubes for a loaded baked potato vibe (just trust me on this).
Veggie remix: Swap the bell pepper for diced cucumber or throw in some halved cherry tomatoes when they’re in season—so fresh!
Lighter option: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and light mayo—still creamy but with a little zing.

The beauty? You can tweak it every time and it’ll still disappear from the bowl!

Serving and Storing Creamy Macaroni Salad

This creamy macaroni salad truly shines when served chilled—I always pull mine from the fridge about 15 minutes before serving just to take the edge off that icy cold. It’s the perfect partner for grilled burgers, hot dogs, or barbecue chicken—the creaminess cuts through all that smoky goodness beautifully. Leftovers? Store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days (if it lasts that long!). Just give it a quick stir and maybe a tiny splash of water to refresh the creamy texture.

Creamy Macaroni Salad FAQs

I get asked about this recipe all the time—here are the answers to those burning macaroni salad questions!

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Absolutely! Plain Greek yogurt works beautifully—it gives that same tangy kick with a bit more protein. I often do half yogurt, half mayo when I’m feeling virtuous. Just know it’ll thicken more as it chills, so you might want to thin the dressing with a teaspoon of milk.

How do I prevent dryness?
Oh honey, I’ve been there—nothing sadder than a dry mac salad! My trick? Mix the dressing separately first and make sure it’s slightly thinner than you want (it’ll thicken). Also, undercook your pasta by 1 minute—those noodles will soak up dressing like little sponges!

Can I make it ahead?
This salad actually gets better overnight! The flavors meld beautifully. Just hold off adding fresh herbs until right before serving so they stay bright. It keeps beautifully for 2-3 days—though ours never lasts that long!

Nutritional Information

Here’s the scoop on what’s in each serving of this creamy macaroni salad—but remember, these are just estimates! Your exact amounts will vary based on ingredients and how generous you are with that dressing. (We won’t judge!)

Share Your Creamy Macaroni Salad Creations!

Did you put your own spin on this recipe? I’d love to see it! Snap a photo, tag me, or leave a comment below—hearing your twists makes my day. Now go enjoy that creamy goodness!