Summer Macaroni Salad

Name: Summer Macaroni Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 16 servings (3/4 cup each).
Ingredients: 1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni; 1 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise; 3 to 4 tablespoons water or 2% milk; 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1-1/2 teaspoons salt; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 small sweet yellow, orange or red pepper, finely chopped; 1 small green pepper, finely chopped; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 1 celery rib, finely chopped; 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

When we grill, my mother asks me to make this summer pasta salad. To make it extra creamy, I like to keep a small amount of dressing separate and stir it in just before serving. —Carly Curtin, Ellicott City, Maryland

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni
1 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
3 to 4 tablespoons water or 2% milk
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 small sweet yellow, orange or red pepper, finely chopped
1 small green pepper, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 celery rib, finely chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Directions

Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cold water and drain again.
In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, water, vinegar, sugar and seasonings until blended. In a large bowl, combine macaroni, peppers, onion and celery. Add 1 cup dressing; toss gently to coat. Refrigerate, covered, 2 hours or until cold. Cover and refrigerate remaining dressing to add just before serving.
To serve, stir in reserved dressing. Sprinkle with parsley.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 160 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 320mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.

Originally published as Summer Macaroni Salad in Taste of Home June/July 2015

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Psalm127-3

Jul 28, 2018

This sounds like a true winner regarding ingreds. I’ll be giving this a try
Wildfiremustang

Jun 24, 2018

It was a little bland, not much flavor.
ginadeec

Jun 13, 2018

Delicious! Not a bite was left over. I added a drained can of diced tomatoes & kalamata olives. I also added some spanish spices. I'm sure it would be just as good as it was written, but for our meal, I added these items. Definately, a keeper!
ccolor1

Aug 2, 2017

We did like this, but a good idea would be to make extra dressing and add it before serving since ours did soak up the original quickly and became dry. I cooked the pasta in water flavored with Tony Chachere's seasoning for more flavor and since it's summer, we have tomatoes out the wazoo so some pieces were added. This really is a great recipe and will be used again - thank you for posting it.
scotland1

Jul 27, 2017

Made it. I did not have any bell peppers to add. It sure was good tasting. Will make ti again without the bell peppers. This is my go to salad.
Kim299

Jul 27, 2017

Yummy, my hubby liked it the way it was written so I split it and added a little more of everything so we had more. I added a drained can of tiny shrimp and some Old Bay to my half and it was delish.
luvdemgrits

Jun 22, 2017

This is a great salad.. I think overnight the flavors meld nicely.. I agree with Psalm 127:3 children are a heritage, and the salad could use more spice.. so taste testing and adjusting makes it your own..
ARollins

Jul 10, 2016

Important to let it set that 2 hours after making, I liked it better the next day.I will make again
abreendre

Jul 10, 2016

Good and simple taste. Perfect for the whole family from grandparents to the 3 year old.
kfnb

Jul 1, 2016

This salad tastes great and is easy to make. It makes tons though. Next time I will halve the recipe.