Description
Summer picnics come alive with classic Macaroni Salad, a creamy crowd-pleaser packed with crisp vegetables and tangy dressing. Cool comfort awaits when you scoop this nostalgic side dish onto your plate, promising pure deliciousness in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (473 ml) elbow macaroni
- 1 cup (150 g) diced bell pepper (any color)
- 1 cup (240 ml) mayonnaise
Vegetables:
- 1 cup (150 g) diced celery
- 1/2 cup (75 g) diced red onion
Seasonings and Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Dijon mustard
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil elbow macaroni in salted water for approximately 8 minutes until perfectly tender, ensuring a slight bite. Immediately drain and shock with cold water to halt cooking process.
- Chop crisp celery, pungent red onion, and vibrant bell pepper into uniform, small dice for consistent texture and flavor distribution.
- Create a creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise with tangy apple cider vinegar and zesty Dijon mustard until silky and well-integrated.
- Fold the cooled pasta into the prepared vegetable medley, carefully incorporating the smooth dressing to coat each ingredient evenly.
- Enhance the salad with precise seasoning of salt and freshly cracked black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Chill the completed macaroni salad in the refrigerator for minimum 60 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and develop a more sophisticated profile before serving.
Notes
- Ensure macaroni is cooked al dente by testing a piece before draining to maintain perfect texture and prevent mushiness.
- Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping, helping the salad stay fresh and separate.
- Consider using Greek yogurt as a healthier mayonnaise alternative for a lighter, tangier version of the classic macaroni salad.
- Customize the salad by adding protein like diced ham, shredded chicken, or hard-boiled eggs to make it a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 10mg