Description
A vibrant and refreshing macaroni salad, perfect for summer gatherings and picnics, combining short pasta, fresh vegetables, and a creamy dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ pound short pasta (macaroni, elbows, rotini, or similar)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 carrot (grated)
- 1 red onion (finely chopped)
- 1 stalk celery (sliced thin)
- ½ cup pickles (chopped)
- ½ cup mayonnaise (or vegan mayonnaise)
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (or non-dairy yogurt)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional – can substitute with maple syrup or honey)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta and peas: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ½ pound of short pasta and cook according to package instructions. About halfway through, add 1 cup of frozen peas directly into the pot.
- Drain and cool: Once the pasta is cooked, drain and rinse under cold water for about 15 seconds to stop the cooking process.
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of sugar.
- Combine and serve: In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta and peas along with 1 chopped red bell pepper, 1 grated carrot, 1 finely chopped red onion, 1 sliced celery stalk, and ½ cup of chopped pickles. Add the creamy dressing and mix well. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
Notes
For added flavor, garnish with fresh herbs like dill or parsley, and consider adding spices like red pepper flakes for a kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: macaroni salad, summer salad, picnic recipe, vegetarian salad
