Macaroni Salad

Macaroni Salad

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

20 mins

 

This is just a great classic, Macaroni Salad. It's not too heavy or greasy - you get extra flavour from cooking the macaroni in salted water. I don't like mine too sour or too sweet. Feel free to go wild with add ins! This recipe is for a classic side because if you serve this with heavily flavoured mains, lighter sides pair better. Serves 4 as a meal, 8 as a side. Recipe VIDEO below.

Course: Side Dish

Servings: 4 - 8 people

Calories: 198 kcal

Author: Nagi

Ingredients

• 250 g / 1/2 lb macaroni elbow pasta
• 1 1/2 tbsp salt
• 1 cup finely sliced celery
• 3/4 cup finely diced red capsicum / bell peppers
• ¾ cup finely sliced shallots / scallions / green onions
• 1 medium carrot , grated (using standard box grater)

Dressing:

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise , whole egg
• 1/3 cup sour cream (can sub full fat plain yoghurt)
• 1 tbsp cider vinegar
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tsp sugar
• 3/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/4 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper

Instructions

1. Bring large pot of water to the boil - 4 to 5 litres / quarts. Add salt then add pasta. Cook per packet directions.
2. Drain pasta then cool.
3. Meanwhile, mix Dressing ingredients in a bowl.
4. Place pasta in a bowl. Add remaining Macaroni Salad ingredients. Pour over Dressing.
5. Toss. Adjust salt / sugar / sour (vinegar) / mayo to taste. I adjust mayo & sour cream in equal amounts right at the end if serving people who like extra creamy.
6. Set aside for at least 20 minutes. Then serve at room temperature (not cold). It's great the next day too!

Recipe Notes

1. Lots of add-in potential here. Bacon, ham, egg, grated cheese, chicken, olives, diced chillies - go wild! But if this is for a side dish with other strong flavored mains, I'd urge you to consider sticking with the a fairly classic version.  I love KAPOW flavors, but there is such thing as too much in a meal!

2. NON MAYO DRESSING option: I really feel that Macaroni Salad's do require some mayo but if you are really mayo adverse or can't have it, then use more sour cream (instead of mayo, same qty), add 2 tbsp olive oil, and extra flavourings as follows: 1 tsp sugar, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, more salt & pepper (because mayo has more flavour than sour cream). Yoghurt is also a healthier option.