Best Healthier Classic Macaroni Salad Recipes

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD

Classic Macaroni Salad image

Forget store-bought macaroni salad - ours is a light, well-seasoned spin on the high-fat standard. For added color, stir in some diced tomatoes. Swap regular pasta for the whole wheat pasta, if desired.

Time 22m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

8 oz Uncooked whole wheat elbow macaroni
0.125 tsp Table salt or to taste (for cooking pasta)
0.5 cup(s) Reduced calorie mayonnaise
1 Tbsp Red-wine vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
0.5 tsp Garlic powder
1 cup(s) Uncooked celery chopped
0.333 cup(s), chopped Uncooked red onion(s)
2 Tbsp Fresh parsley chopped
0.25 tsp Table salt or to taste
0.125 tsp Black pepper freshly ground, or to taste

Steps:

Cook macaroni in salted water according to package directions; drain and transfer to a large bowl.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard and garlic powder; stir mixture into cooked macaroni. Fold in celery, onion and parsley; season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm or chilled.
Yields about 2/3 cup per serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 59 kcal

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD

Classic Macaroni Salad image

This classic macaroni salad recipe is a refreshingly light take on an all-time favorite. It's perfect for a fast weeknight dinner or festive weekend barbecue. -Dorothy Bayes, Sardis, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch Side Dishes

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup fat-free mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped carrot
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 hard-boiled large egg, chopped
Dash paprika

Steps:

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Cool completely. , For dressing, in a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, pickle relish, sugar substitute, mustard, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, celery, carrot and onion. Add dressing and toss gently to coat. , Refrigerate until serving. Garnish with egg and paprika.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 115 calories, Fat 2g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 27mg cholesterol, Sodium 362mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD

Classic Macaroni Salad image

Creamy dishes like Alex's macaroni salad are a perfect match for fresh dill. "I love dill with mayonnaise," she says. "It's grassy and light."

Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli

Categories side-dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
1 small red onion, diced, soaked in ice water at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours
1 large red bell pepper, diced
3 scallions (green parts only), thinly sliced
Kosher salt
12 ounces elbow macaroni
1 sprig dill, leaves finely chopped
4 sprigs basil, leaves torn

Steps:

Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, soy sauce and hot sauce until smooth. Drain and dry the red onion and stir it into the dressing along with the bell pepper, scallions and a generous pinch of salt.
Make the pasta: In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt. Add the pasta and cook, stirring from time to time, until al dente (chewy but not hard or raw tasting), 6 to 10 minutes. Drain; do not rinse the pasta. Spread it out on a large baking sheet to cool slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.
While the pasta is still warm, add it to the bowl with the dressing and let sit at room temperature, 10 to 15 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir in the dill and basil just before serving and taste for seasoning.