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Large bowl of Macaroni Salad with wooden spoon.
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4.95 from 17 votes

Traditional Macaroni Salad

This is the perfect macaroni salad. It's loaded with ham, cheese, and veggies in a creamy dressing. Perfect for BBQs and potlucks!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Refrigerate3 hours
Total Time3 hours 20 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Macaroni Salad, Salad
Servings: 12
Calories: 425kcal
Author: Erica Walker

Ingredients

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni or any other small pasta shape
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons mustard (or to taste)
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt or to taste
  • ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup ham cubed
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese cubed
  • 2/3 cup frozen peas thawed
  • 2 carrots shredded
  • 3 green onions sliced thin

Instructions

  • Prepare macaroni to al dente according to package directions. After macaroni is cooked, drain well and cool to room temperature.
    Bowl of cooked macaroni pasta.
  • In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, mustard, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
    Glass bowl of ingredients for macaroni salad dressing including mayo, sour cream salt, sugar, pepper, mustard and apple cider vinegar. Spatula on the side.
  • In a large bowl, toss macaroni with ham, cheese, peas, carrots, and other mix-ins.
    Mix of pasta and mix ins in a large bowl with a wooden spoon.
  • Fold in mayonnaise mixture until pasta is well coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight. If the salad seems a little dry after setting up overnight, add some milk a little a bit at a time until salad becomes nice and creamy again.
    Large bowl of Macaroni Salad. Wooden spoon on the side.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 425kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 823mg | Potassium: 242mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2752IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 1mg