Simple Macaroni Salad
Say goodbye to boring salads with this Confetti Macaroni Salad recipe! Loaded with veggies, this dish will be a hit at your next summer BBQ. This simple macaroni salad is made with elbow macaroni, roasted red peppers, black olives, dill pickles, green onions and yellow bell pepper for a smorgasbord of colors and flavors. It’s tossed in a simple, tangy dressing that makes it the perfect side dish for any summer gathering.
Servings 8
Calories 118kcal
Equipment
- Pasta Cooker or large pot
Ingredients
- 1 16 ounce box Elbow Macaroni
- 1 cup roasted red peppers canned in water, chopped
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- 3 whole dill pickles chopped
- 4 green onions sliced
- ½ yellow bell pepper chopped
- ½ cup olive oil based mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- black pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it thoroughly under cold water until completely cool. This stops the cooking process and prevents the salad from becoming mushy. Drain well, shaking off any excess water, then set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, celery salt, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed — this simple dressing brings all the flavors together.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled macaroni, chopped roasted red peppers, sliced black olives, diced yellow bell pepper, sliced green onions, and chopped dill pickles.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the macaroni and vegetables. Gently stir everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix so the vegetables stay nice and crunchy.
- Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Nutrition
Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 892mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 253IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg