Are you looking for a light, refreshing pasta salad to accompany your mains? The summertime macaroni salad is a delicious, easy-to-make side dish that goes well with various meals. A mix of fresh veggies, eggs, and a creamy and aromatic dressing is the secret combination for striking a balance.
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The creamy dressing with reduced fat content provides a velvety touch while keeping the salad light. With the light dressing and fresh veggies, this pasta salad is the perfect choice for summer get-togethers and BBQ parties in your backyard. Serve it with grilled chicken for a delicious and hearty meal.
So what are we waiting for? It is time to reveal the recipe and get started!
What makes this recipe so unique?
The mix of boiled eggs, pasta, and veggies brings the summer flavors to your plate. The light dressing melds the flavors together, adding a touch of creaminess. We used fat-free mayo and Greek yogurt for the creamy base, enhancing the flavors with vinegar, mustard, and honey. This results in a zesty and light salad dressing that melds the flavors while not adding the fatty heaviness. The macaroni salad is perfect for summer when you need a simple side dish to accompany your grilled meat or appetizers. But you can also enjoy a light lunch or dinner.
What to serve it with?
Serve a generous spoonful with roasted chicken thighs infused with rosemary and garlic. Or complement the grilled steak with this fresh and creamy salad. We’re also considering grilled shrimp as the perfect main for this recipe. Oh, and did anyone mention fried foods? The creaminess pairs perfectly with crispy chicken or fritters.
Can I make it ahead of time?
You can make the macaroni salad beforehand, as this melts the flavors. When stored in an airtight container, it can last 3 to 5 days in the fridge.
Ingredients:
- Elbow Macaroni
- Eggs
- Red Bell Pepper
- Carrots
- Celery
- Red Onion
- Green Onions For Topping
Dressing Ingredients:
- Fat-Free Mayo
- Fat-Free Greek Yogurt
- White Wine Vinegar
- Dijon Mustard
- Natural Honey
- Salt And Pepper To Taste
How to make Summertime Macaroni Salad:
Step 1. Cook the elbow macaroni in salted water according to the instructions on the package. Make sure not to overcook them; otherwise, they will be mushy. Drain and run the pasta under cold water. Set aside.
Step 2. Add the mayo, Greek yogurt, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl. Mix well to combine the dressing.
Step 3. Add the prepared pasta, chopped eggs, carrots, bell pepper, red onion, and celery in a large salad bowl. Pour in the dressing and toss everything.
Step 4. Serve with chopped green onions on top, and enjoy!
PrintSummertime Macaroni Salad
Are you looking for a light, refreshing pasta salad to accompany your mains? The summertime macaroni salad is a delicious, easy-to-make side dish that goes well with various meals.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Elbow Macaroni
- 3 Hard Boiled Eggs Peeled And Chopped
- 1 cup Red Bell Pepper Chopped
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 3/4 cup chopped celery
- 1/4 cup Red Onion Chopped
- Green Onions For Topping
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Fat-Free Mayo
- 1/2 cup Fat-Free Greek Yogurt
- 1 1/2 tbsp White Wine Vinegar
- 2 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 2 tsp Natural Honey
- Salt And Pepper To Taste
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni in salted water according to the instructions on the package. Make sure not to overcook them; otherwise, they will be mushy. Drain and run the pasta under cold water. Set aside.
- Add the mayo, Greek yogurt, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl. Mix well to combine the dressing.
- Add the prepared pasta, chopped eggs, carrots, bell pepper, red onion, and celery in a large salad bowl. Pour in the dressing and toss everything.
- Serve with chopped green onions on top, and enjoy!
- Category: Salad
- Method: No cook
- Cuisine: American
Marie Rayner is a retired Chef, freelance writer, recipe developer, food blogger, and Cookbook author. She makes her home in Chester, UK, where she lives with her husband, Todd, and their much beloved English Cocker, Mitzie. Her motto is “Life is far too short to eat bad food,” and her goal is to share delicious and easy recipes which anyone can enjoy and cook in the comfort of their own home.
Connie
Can’t wait to make it 🙌