Cheddar Sour Cream Macaroni Salad: Creamy & Delicious Recipe
Cheddar Sour Cream Macaroni Salad is a true crowd-pleaser that combines creamy sour cream and sharp cheddar cheese for an irresistible flavor explosion. This comforting dish is perfect for gatherings, barbecues, or casual family dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (any color)
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 7-8 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- While the pasta is cooking, chop your veggies. Dice 1 cup of bell peppers (any color), 1/2 cup of red onion, and 1 cup of celery. You want them to be bite-sized to mix well with the pasta.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of sour cream, 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Shred 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese and fold it into the dressing.
- In the same bowl as the dressing, add the cooled pasta and chopped vegetables. Gently fold everything together until the pasta and veggies are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Before serving, give the salad a good stir. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. You can also sprinkle some additional shredded cheddar on top for a nice presentation!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: This salad is perfect for making ahead of time. It tastes even better the next day as the flavors develop. Feel free to add proteins like diced cooked chicken or tuna for a heartier dish. Adding fresh herbs like chopped parsley or dill can brighten up the flavors.