Easy Persian Macaroni Salad
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
20 mins
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Servings
8
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Calories
423 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course, Salad, Appetizer
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Cuisine
Persian
Easy Persian Macaroni Salad
Description
This salad is a cold pasta preparation combining al dente elbow macaroni with an assortment of chopped ingredients including yellow bell pepper, mortadella, pickled cucumbers, canned corn, and sweet peas. The ingredients are combined with mayonnaise and seasoned simply with salt and black pepper to enhance their natural flavors. Cooling the salad in the refrigerator for an hour helps integrate the flavors and ensures a refreshing taste and texture. Olive oil tossed with the pasta prevents sticking and maintains separateness of the noodles.
The salad is a versatile side dish suitable for warmer days or as an accompaniment to grilled foods. The mix of crunchy vegetables and deli meat with creamy dressing and pasta creates multiple textures in each bite. Mortadella adds a mild savory element unlike traditional deli meats.
Fine chopping of components ensures even distribution and consistent bite. Salted pasta water and olive oil prevent blandness and clumping respectively. The recipe allows a lighter variation by substituting part of the mayonnaise with yogurt or sour cream.
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup mortadella chopped
- ¾ cup pickled cucumbers chopped
- 1 cup corn canned
- 1 cup sweet peas canned
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Season generously with salt and add the pasta. Cook according to the package instruction, until tender. Drain and toss with the olive oil to avoid sticking. Cool completely.
- Transfer the cooled pasta to a large bowl. Add in the chopped bell pepper, mortadella, pickles, corn and sweet peas.
- Add in the mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Mix well to combine and make sure to bring up the pasta from the bottom of the bowl to the top so all the ingredients are well mixed.
- Taste and add more mayonnaise, salt and pepper if needed. Cover and refrigerate for one hour.
- Give it a good mix before serving.
Notes
- Salt the pasta water generously to enhance the noodles' flavor during cooking.
- Toss cooked pasta with olive oil to prevent sticking as it cools for easier mixing later.
- Chop vegetables and mortadella finely and evenly to ensure consistent texture and flavor in each bite.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving to allow flavors to meld well.
- For a lighter version, substitute half of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or sour cream to add tang and reduce richness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 423 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 423kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 27g | 9% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 31g | 48% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 14g | 82% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 28mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 698mg | 29% |
| Potassium | 199mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 83IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 29mg | 32% |
| Calcium | 16mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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