Dice the onion finely, dice the celery into small pieces, shred or finely dice the carrots, and finely dice all three bell peppers (green, red, and yellow). Set all vegetables aside in separate small bowls or on a cutting board. Having everything prepped and ready will make the assembly smooth and quick once the macaroni is cooked.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the elbow macaroni and cook for 8 minutes until just al dente—tender but still with a slight firmness to the bite. Drain the pasta thoroughly in a colander, then rinse it under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool it completely. This prevents the pasta from becoming mushy when mixed with the creamy dressing.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, evaporated milk, and sour cream until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined. I like to use evaporated milk in this salad because it adds a subtle richness and helps create a silkier texture compared to using regular milk alone—it's a key ingredient that makes this version special.

In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard powder, salt, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, white pepper, black pepper, apple cider vinegar, and granulated sugar. Pour this dry seasoning mixture directly into the creamy base from Step 3 and whisk until fully combined and smooth. This layering approach ensures the spices dissolve evenly without clumping, giving you a perfectly balanced dressing throughout the salad.

Add the cooled cooked pasta from Step 2 to the seasoned dressing from Step 4, then add all the diced vegetables from Step 1: the onion, celery, carrots, and all three colors of bell pepper. Gently fold everything together using a spatula or large spoon until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing. I find that folding rather than stirring vigorously helps prevent the pasta from breaking down and keeps the texture light and pleasant.

Transfer the macaroni salad to a serving bowl or container and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and gives the salad its ideal cold, creamy texture. Give it a gentle stir before serving, and taste to adjust seasonings if needed.