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+ servings
Macaroni Salad

Creamy Macaroni Salad with Crunchy Twists for Summer Fun

This Creamy Macaroni Salad is a delightful salad perfect for summer picnics, offering comforting flavors with customizable crunch.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 oz Elbow Macaroni Substitute with any short pasta you prefer!
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise Opt for high-quality mayo for a richer flavor.
  • 2 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar Can be swapped with lemon juice for a zesty twist.
  • 1 tbsp Sugar Adjust based on how sweet you like your macaroni salad.
  • 1/4 tsp Salt Kosher or sea salt is best.
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper Freshly ground pepper offers the best flavor.
  • 1 tbsp Milk Add more if desired for dressing consistency.
  • 1 tbsp Pickle Juice Can substitute with lemon juice.
For the Crunch
  • 1 cup Roasted Red Peppers Both fresh and jarred are options.
  • 1/2 cup Black Olives Sliced or chopped works great.
  • 1/2 cup Sweet/Spicy Pickles Bread-and-butter pickles work beautifully.
  • 1/4 cup Green Onions Use both the white and green parts.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • Mixing Bowl
  • cutting board
  • Knife
  • whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Cook the elbow macaroni in salted boiling water for 7-8 minutes or until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until cooled. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. Chop the black olives, slice the green onions, and dice the roasted red peppers into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, sugar, pickle juice, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and creamy, adding milk to reach a pourable consistency.
  4. In a large serving bowl, mix the cooled macaroni with ¾ of the dressing. Fold in the black olives, roasted peppers, pickles, and green onions.
  5. Cover and chill the macaroni salad for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Rinsing macaroni helps prevent sticking. Allowing to chill for at least 2 hours will enhance flavor. Customize with your favorite ingredients for variations.

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