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Macaroni Salad (Creamy, Tangy & Perfect for Every BBQ)

Macaroni Salad creamy summer side dish
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Macaroni salad is a creamy, tangy summer favorite made with tender pasta, crisp veggies, and a light mayo-yogurt dressing.

Ingredients

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  • ½ pound short pasta (macaroni, elbows, rotini, or other)
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • 1 red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 rib celery, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup dill pickles, chopped
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (or vegan mayo)
  • 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, or maple syrup or honey)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions.

2. About halfway through cooking, add the frozen peas directly to the pasta water and cook together.

3. Drain the pasta and peas, then rinse under cold water for about 15 seconds to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.

4. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and sugar.

5. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta and peas with bell pepper, carrot, red onion, celery, and chopped pickles.

6. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well until evenly coated.

7. Serve immediately or cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Stir before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Substitutions: Use elbow macaroni, fusilli, rotini, or ditalini. Swap peas with corn, bell pepper with cherry tomatoes, celery with radishes, red onion with shallots or green onions, and pickles with relish, capers, or olives.

Tips: Salt the pasta water well for bold flavor. Rinse pasta briefly to stop cooking without losing flavor. For extra creaminess, refresh with a spoonful of mayo or yogurt before serving. Let the salad chill so flavors meld beautifully.

Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir before serving and add a little extra dressing if it looks dry.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://paulakitchen.com/macaroni-salad/