Classic Macaroni Salad

What you need:

1 package small shell macaroni, cooked, rinsed, and drained

1 cup diced celery

1 cup fresh grated cheddar cheese

1/2 cup minced red onion

2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley

1/2 to 3/4 cup tomato grapes cut in half (optional)

3/4 cup prepared mayonnaise

1 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

2 teaspoons sugar

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

5 tablespoons sour cream

seasoned salt and pepper to taste

What to do:

1. Cook macaroni according to directions on package, rinse and drain.

2. While macaroni is cooking dice celery, mince onion, and cut tomato grapes in half.

3. Grate cheese and set aside.

4. In separate bowl, for dressing, mix well; mayonnaise, dry mustard, sugar, 
cider vinegar and sour cream.

5. In large bowl combine macaroni, celery, onion, tomato and cheese.

6. Gently stir in dressing mix (hold out about 1/3 to add just before serving).

7. Mix in fresh minced parsley and hold a little out to sprinkle on top of macaroni salad.

8. Sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper to taste.

This is a really fresh and crunchy salad.  Great to have as a side dish with a bar-b-q.

It was easy to put together and has a nice mix of tangy and sweetness in the dressing.  The dressing is stronger immediately after mixing up and seems to mellow as the salad sits.

If it sits in the fridge for long before serving it soaks up some of the dressing that's why its good to save about 1/3 of the dressing to add just before serving.  I think this is one you would really enjoy.  I found the original recipe on the foodnetwork.com and then put my own twist on it by adding the grated cheddar cheese and tomato grapes cut in half.  This macaroni salad is light and good to eat.  Enjoy!!!