Description

This Small Macaroni Salad is a quick and easy side dish perfect for summer picnics or light lunches. Featuring tender elbow macaroni mixed with a creamy dressing of mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard, it is enhanced with crisp celery, sweet red bell pepper, and sharp red onion, creating a refreshing and flavorful salad that’s ready in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

1 cup elbow macaroni
1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
2 tbsp red onion, finely chopped

Dressing Ingredients

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Cook the macaroni: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 7-8 minutes. Drain the macaroni and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta completely.
Prepare the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard until smooth and fully combined, creating a tangy and creamy base for the salad.
Combine salad ingredients: Add the cooled macaroni, finely chopped celery, diced red bell pepper, and chopped red onion into the bowl with the dressing.
Toss the salad: Gently toss all the ingredients together until the macaroni is evenly coated with the dressing and the vegetables are well distributed throughout the salad.
Season: Add salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning to your preference for a balanced flavor.
Chill before serving: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill, enhancing the taste and texture before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, try adding chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill.
You can substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise to reduce fat content.
Make the salad a day ahead for even better flavor development.
This salad can be customized by adding diced cucumbers or shredded carrots.
Ensure macaroni is completely cooled before mixing to prevent the dressing from becoming too runny.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American