Creamy Macaroni Salad

PREP TIME: 45 MINUTES

CHILL TIME: 2 HOURS

SERVINGS: 10 SERVINGS

Ingredients:

1 lb bowtie pasta or pasta of choice

1 cup celery, finely chopped

1 cup tomato, finely diced (optional: remove the seeds)

1 cup peppers, finely chopped (you can use a combination of any colors you prefer, such as green, red, yellow, or orange)

½ cup corn (if using canned corn, remember to drain it)

½ cup fresh carrots, shredded (squeeze between paper towels to remove excess moisture)

¼ cup red onion, finely chopped (let sit in cold water for a few minutes, then drain before adding to the salad)

¼ cup scallions, thinly sliced rounds

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)

Dressing

1 cup mayo

6 tablespoons sour cream

3 tablespoons cider vinegar

3 teaspoons sugar

1 ½ teaspoons dry yellow mustard

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Cook the pasta until it reaches an al dente consistency. Once cooked, drain the pasta, rinse it with cold water to cool it down, and drain it again. Set it aside.
• Prepare the fresh vegetables and herbs by chopping the celery, dicing the tomatoes (optional: remove the seeds), finely chopping the peppers (choose a variety of colors for added visual appeal), shredding the carrots (remember to remove excess moisture by squeezing them between paper towels), finely chopping the red onion (soak it in cold water for a few minutes and then drain), slicing the scallions into thin rounds, and chopping the fresh parsley. Set these ingredients aside.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the mayo, sour cream, cider vinegar, sugar, dry yellow mustard, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Whisk the dressing ingredients together until they are nicely incorporated. Set the dressing aside.
• Take a large bowl and combine the cooked pasta, fresh vegetables, and herbs. Add half of the prepared dressing to the bowl and mix everything together thoroughly. Make sure all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
• Cover the bowl and chill the macaroni salad in the refrigerator for at least two hours. This allows the flavors to meld together and enhances the taste. For an even creamier consistency, you can add more dressing as needed or desired before serving.

Recipe Notes

• Chilling the salad for at least two hours is essential for the flavors to develop and mingle. It also helps the salad achieve the perfect texture.
• Feel free to adjust the amount of dressing according to your preference. If you like a creamier salad, add more dressing before serving.
• For an added touch, garnish the salad with some extra chopped parsley or a sprinkle of paprika before serving.