Cheesy Macaroni Salad
Creamy, tangy, and packed with vibrant flavors, this Cheesy Macaroni Salad is the ultimate side dish for summer gatherings, picnics, or weeknight dinners. Featuring tender elbow macaroni tossed in a rich dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and a hint of mustard, this salad delivers the perfect balance of creaminess and zest. Cubes of sharp cheddar cheese, crisp celery, sweet red bell pepper, and thawed peas add irresistible texture and pops of color, while a touch of apple cider vinegar and sugar ties it all together with a delightful tangy-sweet finish. Quick and easy to prepare, this chilled pasta salad is perfect for feeding a crowd and can be made ahead for maximum convenience. Garnish with fresh parsley for a bright, herby touch, and watch this crowd-pleaser disappear! Keywords: cheesy macaroni salad recipe, summer pasta salad, creamy macaroni salad, easy side dish, tangy cheddar salad.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Elbow macaroni
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, cubed
- 3 tablespoons Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Prepared yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon Apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 cup Celery, chopped
- 0.5 cup Red bell pepper, diced
- 0.25 cup Red onion, finely chopped
- 0.5 cup Frozen peas, thawed
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and well blended.
Add the cooked and cooled macaroni to the dressing, gently tossing to coat.
Fold in the cheddar cheese cubes, celery, red bell pepper, red onion, and thawed peas until evenly distributed.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving, if desired. Serve chilled.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
373 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 20.0 g | 26% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.9 g | 50% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 47 mg | 16% | |
| Sodium | 506 mg | 22% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 33.7 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.6 g | ||
| Protein | 15.9 g | 32% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 319 mg | 25% | |
| Iron | 1.9 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 228 mg | 5% | |
*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.
