Creamy Pasta Salad 

This Creamy Pasta Salad is a delightful blend of tender elbow macaroni, crunchy vegetables, and a rich, tangy dressing. It's an ideal side dish for picnics, potlucks, or casual family meals. The combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, and Dijon mustard creates a creamy base that complements the freshness of celery, red bell pepper, and parsley.

 Ingredients

• 1 lb elbow macaroni

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• ½ cup sour cream

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• 2 teaspoons sugar

• 2 tablespoons white vinegar

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 cup diced celery

• 1 cup diced red bell pepper

• ½ cup diced red onion

• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process. Allow it to cool for a few minutes.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, sugar, white vinegar, salt, and black pepper until smooth.

3. Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl and mix until the pasta is evenly coated with the dressing.

4. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, diced celery, red bell pepper, red onion, and chopped parsley.

5. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld.

6. Before serving, give the pasta salad a good stir and garnish with additional parsley if desired.

 Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: Approximately 377 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 36g

• Protein: 9g

• Fat: 22g

• Saturated Fat: 4g

• Cholesterol: 20mg

• Sodium: 300mg

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 3g