• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Chef Not Required...

  • Home
  • About Me & This Blog
  • Recipe Index
  • Privacy & Disclosure

Creamy Macaroni Salad

September 23, 2019 By Lee-Ann Leave a Comment

Share or save for later...

This creamy macaroni salad recipe has fresh veggies combined with elbow pasta, then add a dressing of mayonnaise and sour cream with some mustard, garlic & vinegar for zing. So good!

Creamy Macaroni Salad is just the dish you need for the upcoming holiday season. Quick and easy to make, perfect for a barbecue or potluck.

creamy pasta salad in a white bowl

My recipe may differ from others you may have read because it doesn’t call for any added sugar. I’m not a big fan of adding sugar to my savoury dishes, I leave it out wherever I can.

Ingredients you will need to make creamy macaroni salad

  • Elbow pasta / macaroni – (cooked & cooled)
  • Shallots / scallions / green onions – (finely sliced)
  • Red capsicum / bell pepper – (finely diced)
  • Carrot – (grated)
  • Red / spanish onion – (finely chopped, see my “top tips” below)
  • Mayonnaise
  • Sour cream – I used low fat
  • Dijon mustard
  • Garlic powder
  • White wine vinegar
  • Fine salt

See recipe card for quantities and detailed instructions.

image showing ingredients needed to make creamy macaroni salad

How to make creamy macaroni salad

  • Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, dijon mustard, garlic powder, vinegar & salt in a small bowl – see Image 1.
  • Mix well to combine, then set aside – this will be our creamy dressing for the macaroni salad – see Image 2.
process shot showing how to make creamy macaroni salad
Image 1.
process shot showing how to make creamy macaroni salad
Image 2.

  • In another bowl, combine the shallots, red capsicum, carrot, and red onion along with cooked and drained pasta – see Image 3.
  • Mix to combine – see Image 4.
Image 3.
Image 4.

  • Add creamy dressing to pasta mixture – see Image 5.
  • Mix everything to combine, then taste test for salt and serve – see Image 6.

My top tips for making this creamy macaroni salad recipe

  • I like to rinse the slices of red onion under cold running water then dry them with kitchen towel before I finish chopping them, this takes some of the bite out of the raw onion – totally optional.
  • If red onion isn’t your thing you could substitute finely chopped celery.
  • I suggest assembling this salad just before serving, because as it sits the pasta will start to soak up the dressing. You can still make it ahead of time, just add the creamy dressing just before serving.

Other salad recipes you make like

Caprese pesto pasta salad – the traditional taste of caprese salad, with an extra flavour boost from basil pesto and prosciutto.

Pumpkin avocado feta salad – a tasty combination of sweet pumpkin, creamy avocado, sharp lemony feta & topped with crunchy pine nuts.

Carrot and orange salad – Carrot Orange Salad – a fresh orange salad recipe with sweet dates and fresh herbs, plus a video showing how to segment oranges.

Cucumber tomato avocado salad – a crunchy side with tomatoes, cucumber, avocado & cilantro (coriander) with a sour cream dressing & a hint of chilli.

creamy pasta salad in a white bowl
Print Pin

Creamy Macaroni Salad

Creamy Macaroni Salad - fresh veggies combined with elbow pasta, then add a dressing of mayonnaise and sour cream with some mustard and garlic.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Modern Australian
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6 as a side
Calories 298kcal
Author Lee-Ann

Ingredients

  • 250 g elbow pasta / macaroni ½ lb
  • ½ cup shallots / green onions / scallions approx 4 - finely sliced
  • 1 cup finely diced red capsicum / bell pepper
  • 1 cup grated carrot (see my notes)
  • ¼ cup finely chopped red onion / spanish onion (see my notes)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream I use low fat
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 3 tsp dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp white wine vinegar
  • ½ tsp fine salt or more to taste

Instructions

  • Cook pasta (250g / ½lb) according to packet directions, then drain and set aside to cool.
  • Combine mayonnaise (½ cup), sour cream (½ cup), dijon mustard (3 tsp), garlic powder (½ tsp), vinegar (2 tsp) & salt (½ tsp) in a small bowl and mix well to combine then set aside.
  • In another bowl, combine the shallots (½ cup), red capsicum (1 cup), carrot (1 cup), and red onion (¼ cup) along with the cooled pasta and mix.
  • Add creamy dressing to pasta mixture, then give everything a good mix to combine. Add more salt if needed, and serve.

Notes

  • I have grated the carrot using a standard box grater.
  • I like to rinse the slices of red onion under cold running water then dry them with kitchen towel before I finish chopping them, this takes some of the bite out of the raw onion - totally optional.
  • If red onion isn't your thing you could substitute finely chopped celery.
  • I suggest assembling this salad just before serving, because as it sits the pasta will start to soak up the dressing. You can still make it ahead of time, just add the creamy dressing just before serving.
*Please note that the amount of calories per serve is provided as a guide only, as ingredients and cooking methods can vary greatly*

Nutrition

Calories: 298kcal
Share or save for later...

Filed Under: Sides, Salads, Everything! Tagged With: pasta, mustard, mayonnaise

Previous Post: « Salmon With Pesto Crust
Next Post: The Ultimate Chunky Potato Soup »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I’m Lee-Ann!

Looking for inspiration for what to cook tonight? I'm here to help! I believe you don't need fancy ingredients or equipment to cook great food!
Read More…

Let’s get social…

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Never Miss a Recipe…

Join my free email list and receive my FREE eBOOK of kitchen hints & hacks, plus my most popular & favourite recipes!

Not sure? Click on the "read more" page link above (next to my photo) for more info & what to expect!

Privacy & Disclosure

Top Posts & Pages

Cheesy Mini Gratin Dauphinois Potato Stacks
Top 10 Tips For The Perfect Grazing Board Platter
Extra Crispy Potatoes
Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake
Double Mustard and Garlic Sauce
Oven Roasted Lamb Ribs with Yoghurt Mint & Garlic Sauce

Copyright © 2021 · Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

NEVER MISS A RECIPE...
Join my free email list & receive my FREE eBook with my 6 favourite recipes plus EXTRA kitchen tips!
First Name
Email
Privacy & Disclosure Policy
Looking for Cooking Inspiration?
_____________________________
You've Found It!
Join my free email list & receive my FREE eBook with my 6 favourite recipes plus EXTRA kitchen tips!
Email
Looking for Cooking Inspiration?
You've Found It!
Join my free email list & receive my FREE eBook with my 6 favourite recipes plus EXTRA kitchen tips!
Your Email:
  • Home
  • About Me & This Blog
  • Recipe Index
  • Privacy & Disclosure