BEST Macaroni Salad
User Reviews
5
BEST Macaroni Salad
Description
This Macaroni Salad features cooked and cooled elbow macaroni tossed with crunchy celery, finely chopped onions, sweet roasted red bell peppers, sliced black olives, capers, and sliced green onions. The combination of vegetables adds varying textures and briny, slightly sweet flavors.
The dressing is a blend of good-quality mayonnaise, sweet or dill pickle relish, Dijon mustard, sugar, white vinegar, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Thorough chilling after mixing allows the flavors to meld and the salad to firm up. The salad is best served cold as a side dish for summer meals or potlucks.
For gluten-free versions, gluten-free pasta is recommended. When serving leftovers, adding extra mayonnaise sauce is advised since the pasta can absorb moisture over time and dry out.
Ingredients
- 4 cups elbow macaroni about 8 ounces or 2 cups uncooked macaroni, cooked al dente, white or whole wheat, cooked in lightly salted water and cooled
- (Gluten-free: Use GF macaroni)
- 1 cup celery diced
- 1/3 cup onion finely chopped
- 1 cup red roasted bell pepper chopped
- 1/2 cup black olive rinsed and drained, sliced
- 3 tablespoons capers ,rinsed and drained
- 3 green onions ,sliced
- For the sauce:
- 2 cups mayonnaise good quality
- (vegans: use vegan mayonnaise)
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish or dill pickle relish
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt or sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Place the thoroughly cooled pasta in a large mixing bowl along with all remaining ingredients, except for the sauce. Stir to combine.
- To make the sauce, place all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and stir to combine.
- Pour the sauce over the pasta salad and stir to thoroughly coat the pasta. Add salt and pepper to taste. (If it doesn't taste excellent it needs more salt.) Transfer to a non-reactive bowl. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving (don't skip this step, it's crucial for the optimal flavor of the salad).
Notes
- If saving leftovers, add additional mayonnaise before serving to prevent the salad from drying out as the pasta absorbs moisture.
- Use gluten-free macaroni if needed to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Chill the salad for at least 2 hours before serving for optimal flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 188 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 188kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 7% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 6mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 1150mg | 48% |
| Potassium | 90mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 185IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 21mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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