Macaroni Salad
| Prep | Cook | Total | Serves |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Min | 10 Min | 25 Min | 6-8 |
Ingredients
SALAD
- 8 oz (250g) dry macaroni pasta
- 1/2 medium red bell pepper (capsicum), seeded and finely chopped
- 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
- 1 small carrot, peeled and shredded
- 2 dill pickles, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
DRESSING
- 1 cup mayonnaise, (S&W, Best Foods, Hellmann's, Japanese or any whole egg mayo)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar, (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Bring large pot of salted water to the boil over high heat. Add the pasta and boil until al dente (just fork-tender), or follow packet directions.
- While pasta is boiling, prepare/chop SALAD ingredients and add them to a large serving bowl.
- Mix DRESSING ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Once pasta is cooked, drain and rinse under cool running water. Drain well and add to the rest of the SALAD ingredients in the large serving bowl.
- Pour over DRESSING and toss well to evenly combine. Adjust salt, pepper and vinegar to taste.
- Set aside for at least 15 minutes to let the ingredients warm close to room temperature and settle into each other before serving.
Notes
DRESSING FOR PASTA SALAD
When making a pasta salad, it’s best to toss it in A LOT of dressing to prevent it from drying out and getting pasty. Instead of using all mayo, we add in a bit of sour cream to cut through the fat, making it less oily. You can also use yoghurt or Mexican crema.
WHAT TYPE OF MAYONNAISE?
I suggest using whole egg mayo as it tends to be less sweeter and creamier than regular mayo.
- VINEGAR: adds a kick of tang! You can use white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar. Substitute with lemon juice for a citrus kick.
- DIJON MUSTARD adds MORE flavour, making it nice and thick.
- MINCED GARLIC completes the flavour profile. You can use garlic powder, onion powder or minced shallots if you prefer.
MACARONI SALAD ADD-IN OPTIONS
Our Macaroni Salad is loaded with flavour and simple veggies. Having said that, there are endless additions to make it EVEN BETTER!
- curry powder
- crispy bacon
- hard-boiled eggs
- ham
- rotisserie chicken
- grape or cherry tomatoes
- sliced olives
- salami
- kielbasa or any smoked sausage
Or enjoy it as a delicious side for Roast Chicken, Juicy Beef Brisket, Sticky Oven Barbecue Ribs or Steaks!
HOW LONG CAN YOU KEEP MACARONI SALAD?
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Take it out of the fridge for at least 20 minutes before serving to get the chill out. It’s best when closer to room temperature or just slightly chilled.
CAN YOU FREEZE MACARONI SALAD?
Absolutely! The day you need to serve it, thaw naturally for a few hours, then toss well.
