1-First Step: Get Your Ingredients Ready Start by gathering all your ingredients and prepping them to make cooking smoother. Chop the celery, bell pepper, and onion as specified, and make sure the shrimp is cooked and ready to go. This prep work only takes about 10 minutes and helps avoid any last-minute rushes, so set everything out on your counter for easy access.

2-Second Step: Cook the Pasta Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the 8 oz elbow macaroni noodles. Cook them al dente according to the package instructions, which usually means about 8 minutes, so they hold their shape in the salad. Once done, drain the pasta, rinse it under cool water to stop the cooking, and drain it again to remove excess water before transferring it to a large bowl.

3-Third Step: Mix in the Veggies and Shrimp Now, add the chopped celery, bell pepper, onion, and cooked shrimp to the bowl with the pasta. Gently stir everything together to combine, making sure the ingredients are evenly distributed. This step blends the flavors and adds that fresh crunch you’ll love in every bite.

4-Fourth Step: Prepare the Dressing In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients: 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sour cream, 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar, 1 ½ teaspoons granulated sugar, ¾ teaspoon celery seed, ¼ teaspoon ground mustard, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning if needed, like adding a bit more salt for extra flavor.

5-Fifth Step: Combine and Chill Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and stir well until everything is fully coated. Cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least one hour, or better yet, overnight to let the flavors meld. This chilling time, around 1 hour and 18 minutes total from start to finish, makes a big difference in taste.

6-Final Step: Serve and Enjoy Before serving, give the salad a quick stir to refresh the coating. It makes about 8 servings, so dish it out for your family or guests, and keep it chilled for the best experience. For nutritional details, here’s a quick overview in a table: