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Cheddar Sour Cream Macaroni Salad

Cheddar Sour Cream Macaroni Salad Recipe

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Cheddar Sour Cream Macaroni Salad is a creamy and flavorful side dish that’s perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, and family barbecues. This delicious pasta salad blends tender ziti with a rich dressing made from mayonnaise and sour cream, enhanced by fresh vegetables like bell peppers and carrots. The addition of cheddar cheese provides a delightful cheesy flavor that balances the creaminess of the dressing. Easy to prepare and customizable with your favorite veggies, this macaroni salad is not only a crowd-pleaser but also a fantastic option for meal prepping. Serve it chilled for a refreshing dish that everyone will love!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb. box of Ziti Pasta
  • 1.5 cups of Mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup of Sour Cream
  • 2 teaspoons of White Sugar
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper
  • 1 medium sized Red Onion
  • 1 large Carrot
  • 2 stems of Celery
  • 2 tablespoons of diced Pimientos with the liquid
  • 1 bunch of fresh Parsley (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons of Celery Salt (or to taste)
  • 2 teaspoons of Celery Seed (or to taste)
  • 1 lb. block of your favorite Cheddar Cheese

Instructions

  1. Boil the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Once cooked, rinse well with cold water and drain thoroughly.
  2. Finely dice the onion, bell pepper, and celery. Add them to a large bowl, then sprinkle with celery salt and celery seed. Toss gently to coat. Include the diced pimientos with some liquid from the jar.
  3. Grate the carrot using a grater or food processor. To make pieces smaller, run your knife through the grated carrot before adding it to the vegetable mix.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, and white sugar until smooth. Optionally, add a pinch more celery seed and celery salt.
  5. If using parsley, mince it finely and mix into your vegetable bowl. Let everything sit for about 15 minutes to enhance flavors.
  6. Add your mayo/sour cream mixture to the vegetables. Then fold in your cooked pasta gently until everything is coated evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary by adding more celery salt.
  7. Dice your cheddar cheese into very small pieces and carefully fold them into the salad mixture.
  8. For best results, cover your macaroni salad with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for 4-6 hours or overnight before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition

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