Introduction:
Old-fashioned macaroni salad, a classic and comforting dish, is much loved and evokes nostalgia when served at any gathering. This crowd-pleaser has creamy dressing, tender pasta, and crunchy vegetables, so it is perfect for picnics, potlucks or just a hearty side dish.
Ingredients:
2 cups elbow macaroni
1 cup of mayonnaise
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped,
A half green bell pepper that has been finely chopped,
And ¼ cup diced red onion.
(Optional) 2 hard-boiled eggs (chopped)
(Optional) 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish.
Instructions:
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool down as directed on the pack.
In a large mixing bowl mix mayonnaise, white vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt and black pepper with each other until they combine well.
Add cooled cooked macaroni to the bowl with the dressing.
Gently toss everything together in order to coat all the ingredients with the dressing evenly like celery stalks; chopped red bell peppers; green bell peppers that have been finely chopped; diced red onions; hard boiled eggs (optional); sweet pickle relish (optional).
Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving so that flavors can blend together better.
Serve chilled.
Hints For Success:
To prevent overcooking and make the dish cool quickly, remember to rinse the cooked macaroni under cold water.
Flavor intensification is achieved by refrigerating the macaroni salad for at least an hour prior to consumption.
Health Benefits:
Eating this macaroni will give you a lot of energy from carbohydrates.
For instance, it contains celery, bell peppers and onions which are rich in minerals and vitamins.
Mayonnaise, though high in calories can provide healthy fats that are important for overall body functioning when used sparingly.
Nutritional Information:
Calories: 280
Total Fat: 15g
Cholesterol: 50mg
Sodium: 480mg
Total Carbohydrates: 29g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 3g
Protein: 6g
The given values are not exact and they may be different depending on the ingredients used and size of servings.
Variations And Substitutions:
You may substitute Greek yogurt with mayonnaise to keep your recipe light.
Also add diced ham or cooked chicken to increase protein levels.
Try mixing in or experimenting with different types of mustard or vinegar to get different flavors.
The chopped fresh herbs like parsley dill also give it a nice taste.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q: Can I make this macaroni salad the previous day? A: Of course, the macaroni salad can be made one day before and keep it in the fridge. Q: Is it okay to use gluten-free pasta for this recipe? A: Most certainly! Be free to use gluten-free elbow macaroni or any alternative choice of gluten-free pasta you like. Q: For how long can I keep my macaroni salad inside the refrigerator? A: If stored in airtight container, it will stay well in refrigerator for about 3-4 days.
