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Creamy Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe with Crunchy Veggies Easy and Perfect

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A creamy macaroni salad balanced with crunchy fresh veggies and a tangy dressing, perfect for potlucks, BBQs, and quick dinners. This nostalgic yet fresh salad is easy to make and loved by kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni pasta (about 200g), cooked al dente
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise (180ml)
  • ¼ cup Greek yogurt (60ml), optional but recommended
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sweet pickle juice
  • ½ cup celery, finely diced
  • ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • ½ cup carrots, grated or finely chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 2 cups (about 200g) of elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente.
  2. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain well for about 10 minutes.
  3. While pasta cooks, finely dice celery, red bell pepper, red onion, and grate or finely chop carrots. Chop hard-boiled eggs if using.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, and sweet pickle juice. Whisk together until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Add the drained macaroni, chopped veggies, eggs, and fresh parsley to the dressing bowl. Gently fold everything together until well coated.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld and salad chill.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; it should be al dente to avoid mushy salad. Rinse pasta with cold water but not too aggressively to keep starch for dressing adherence. Fold salad gently to avoid breaking pasta. Chill at least 1 hour or overnight for best flavor. Add more mayo or milk if salad is too thick after chilling. Can substitute Greek yogurt with dairy-free coconut yogurt and use gluten-free pasta for dietary needs.

Nutrition

Keywords: macaroni salad, creamy macaroni salad, pasta salad, summer salad, potluck recipe, BBQ side dish, crunchy veggies, easy salad

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/creamy-classic-macaroni-salad-recipe-with-crunchy-veggies-easy-and-perfect/