Simple Macaroni Salad
A colorful and flavorful macaroni salad that brings comfort and joy to any meal, perfect for family gatherings or picnics.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 lb elbow macaroni noodles, uncooked
Vegetables
- 1/4 cup diced celery
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
Dressings and Spices
- 1 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup distilled vinegar
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Cheese
- 1 cup cubed sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the elbows according to package instructions, then drain and rinse them with cool water.
- Once cooled, place the pasta in a large bowl, ensuring it moves around freely to prevent sticking.
Combining Ingredients
- Add in your diced celery, red onion, red bell pepper, peas, and cheese to the cooled pasta.
Making Dressing
- In a separate bowl, whisk together mayo, distilled vinegar, sugar, dijon mustard, sweet pickle relish, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
Mixing Salad
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and stir carefully to coat evenly.
Chilling
- Cover the salad and place it in the refrigerator for at least thirty minutes before serving.
Serving
- Stir the salad gently before serving, ideally in a large bowl for family-style dining.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Stir in additional dressing before serving if it seems dry.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 10gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5g
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