Go Back
Cheddar Macaroni Salad – Easy Dinner Recipe for Families

Cheddar Sour Cream Macaroni Salad

A creamy, tangy, flavor-packed macaroni salad made with ziti, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and finely diced vegetables. Perfect for potlucks, holidays, and meal prep.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ziti pasta
  • 1.5 cups mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 red bell pepper, very finely diced
  • 1 medium red onion, very finely diced
  • 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 1 large carrot, grated and finely chopped
  • 2 stems celery, very finely diced
  • 2 tsp celery salt, or to taste
  • 2 tsp celery seed, or to taste
  • 2 tbsp diced pimientos with some liquid
  • 1 lb block of cheddar cheese, diced into small cubes
  • 2 tsp white sugar

Method
 

  1. Cook the ziti according to package directions until al dente. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and drain well.
  2. Very finely dice the onion, red bell pepper, and celery. Add them to a large bowl. Sprinkle in the celery salt and celery seed and toss to coat. Add the diced pimientos along with some of the liquid from the jar.
  3. Grate the carrot, then roughly chop the grated pieces so they are very small. Add to the bowl with the vegetables.

Notes

Once you provide the remaining steps (adding cheddar, mayo, sour cream, sugar, combining, chilling), I can finish the recipe.