Creamy Pea & Macaroni Salad

Creamy Pea and Macaroni Salad 

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6–8

Ingredients 

• 12 oz (340 g) small shell pasta or elbow macaroni
• 2 cups green peas, thawed if frozen
• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
• ½ cup celery, finely chopped
• ¼ cup green onions, thinly sliced
• ¾ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions 

1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until tender but still slightly firm.
2. Drain the pasta and immediately rinse it under cold running water until completely cooled. Allow it to drain thoroughly so excess water does not thin the dressing.
3. Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add the green peas, red bell pepper, celery, green onions, and chopped parsley.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
5. Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables.
6. Gently toss everything together until the pasta, peas, and vegetables are evenly coated in the creamy dressing.
7. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or black pepper if needed.
8. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Chilling allows the flavors to blend and gives the salad its best texture.
9. Stir the salad once more before serving. If it becomes too thick after chilling, mix in 1–2 tablespoons of milk or a small spoonful of extra mayonnaise until creamy again.

Tips

Cook the pasta only until al dente to prevent the salad from becoming soft or mushy.

Make sure the pasta is completely cool and well drained before adding the dressing.

For extra flavor and texture, add diced cheddar cheese, chopped hard-boiled eggs, crispy bacon, shredded carrots, or finely chopped pickles.

If preparing the salad several hours ahead, reserve a little dressing and stir it in just before serving to refresh the creamy texture.

Storage

Store Creamy Pea & Macaroni Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Stir well before serving leftovers. If needed, add a small amount of mayonnaise or milk to restore the creamy consistency.

For food safety, avoid leaving the salad at room temperature for extended periods, especially in warm weather.

Nutrition 

Approximate nutrition per serving:

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 8 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fat: 19 g

Nutritional values may vary depending on the exact ingredients, mayonnaise, sour cream, and serving size used.