Classic Creamy Macaroni Salad – Once Upon a Chef

Ingredients

• 16 oz macaroni, (cavatappi, farfalle, or fusilli pasta)
• 1 cup mayonnaise, (best quality such as Hellmann's or Duke's)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3½ tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup water
• 1¼ teaspoons salt, (plus more for cooking the pasta)
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ¾ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ cup finely diced or grated carrots, (from 1 to 2 carrots)
• ¾ cup finely diced celery, (from 2 to 3 celery stalks)
• 1 red, (yellow, or orange bell pepper, finely diced)
• 6 scallions, (light and dark green parts, finely sliced)
• ¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil