This is the best macaroni salad recipe ever! Every bite of this cold pasta salad is perfectly seasoned with Dijon mustard and a creamy mayonnaise sauce. It’s a great side dish to serve with any dinner, potlucks, or barbecues.
I was inspired to make this mac salad recipe because we usually buy the boxed stuff. After eating it so many times, we just got tired of it and wanted to try something new. I figured that it couldn’t be that hard to throw my own together, and after a few tries, I got it right. This macaroni salad recipe is the exact refreshing summer side dish we were craving.
Ingredients
- 16 oz. elbow macaroni
- ½ red onion
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 red bell pepper
- ¼ cup fresh parsley
- 1 carrot
- ¾ cup mayonnaise (can use vegan mayonnaise)
- 1 tbsp spicy Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
Step 1: Cook the Macaroni
- Cook Pasta: Cook the macaroni to al dente according to the package directions.
- Drain and Rinse: Drain and rinse the cooked macaroni under cold water.
- Cool the Pasta: Transfer the macaroni to a large bowl and let it cool.
Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables
- Chop Red Onion: Finely chop ½ red onion.
- Dice Bell Peppers: Dice 1 green bell pepper and 1 red bell pepper.
- Chop Parsley: Chop ¼ cup of fresh parsley.
- Dice Carrot: Dice 1 carrot.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients
- Add Veggies to Pasta: Once the macaroni has cooled, add the chopped red onion, diced bell peppers, chopped parsley, and diced carrot to the bowl.
- Add Dressing: Add ¾ cup of mayonnaise and 1 tbsp of spicy Dijon mustard to the bowl.
- Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Mix and Chill
- Mix Well: Mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
- Refrigerate: Refrigerate the macaroni salad until it is cool.
Step 5: Serve
- Serve Cold: Serve the macaroni salad cold or at room temperature.
Enjoy!
This macaroni salad is perfect for any occasion. Enjoy its refreshing flavors as a side dish at your next dinner, potluck, or barbecue!
