Creamy Macaroni Salad

4.5
(58)

This creamy pasta salad recipe is easy and a huge hit at every function I take it to. I've looked all over for a great macaroni salad, and this is it! I like my salads to have a lot of creamy dressing, so I always make an extra half-batch of the dressing and add it as necessary to add more moisture since the pasta soaks up so much sauce.

A serving bowl of creamy macaroni salad, topped with sliced green onion
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Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
12
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings

  • 3 cups elbow macaroni

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder

  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder

  • ½ teaspoon paprika

  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

  • ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1 ½ cups mayonnaise

  • 1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk

  • ½ cup sour cream

  • ½ cup finely chopped onion

  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped green bell pepper

  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped red bell pepper

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped yellow bell pepper

  • ½ cup finely chopped celery

  • ½ cup finely chopped carrots

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make creamy macaroni salad

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans

  2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes.

    A large pot of elbow macaroni in boiling water

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans

  3. While the macaroni is cooking, mix salt, dry mustard, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, white pepper, and black pepper together in a small bowl.

    A small glass bowl with salt, dry mustard, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, white pepper, and black pepper

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans

  4. Whisk mayonnaise, evaporated milk, and sour cream together in a large salad bowl until smooth and creamy. Stir in seasoning mix until well blended.

    A bowl of creamy, seasoned dressing with a whisk

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans

  5. Drain and rinse macaroni under cold water until cooled. Drain again.

    A colander with cooked macaroni pasta

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans

  6. Add macaroni, onion, celery, carrots, and bell peppers to the salad bowl; mix until well combined and coated with dressing.

    A large bowl of creamy macaroni salad being mixed with a spoon

    Rachel Marek / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans

115 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

341 Calories
25g Fat
24g Carbs
5g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 341
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 25g 32%
Saturated Fat 5g 26%
Cholesterol 18mg 6%
Sodium 377mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 24g 9%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 5g 10%
Vitamin C 9mg 10%
Calcium 57mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 169mg 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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