Macaroni Salad Recipe – Easy Small Portion Recipe

I think we can all agree that macaroni salad is inevitably that one dish that can always be found at every picnic and backyard cookout. A bowl full of tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and a creamy dressing that’s simply irresistible. 

However, this easy recipe is more than just a simple, party side dish. The creamy, crunchy fresh flavors of this easy to make side dish will have you making this recipe over and over again, even when you aren’t heading to a potluck.

It is made with the simple combination of fresh veggies and perfectly cooked pasta tossed in a luscious homemade dressing that’s both tangy and creamy. However what makes this recipe stand out is that it has the perfect balance between the richness of the dressing, the soft texture of the macaroni noodles, and the crispness of the vegetables, creating a super satisfying side dish designed for two.

Best of all, you can customize the recipe to use whatever vegetables that you prefer. Most often I will add carrots, bell peppers, celery, and onions to the salad. However you can add diced cauliflower, cucumbers, or even broccoli if you prefer.

Then toss everything together in the creamy dressing to give the salad its iconic flavor. The smooth, rich dressing is a perfect melody of mayonnaise, tangy dijon mustard, a touch of vinegar and a just a hint of sweetness.

Not only does it bind the ingredients together but it also adds well-rounded flavor that only gets better as it chills in the refrigerator. In fact, just like when making Potato Salad it is even better on day 2 and 3.

Why Make Homemade Macaroni Salad?

Although it is easy to find prepared macaroni salad in most grocery stores deli, save yourself some money and make it yourself. Not only is it less expensive, you can also customize the ingredients to what you have on hand or what you like to eat.

However, there are other reasons why this recipe will become one of your favorites.

1. First, this recipe is all about simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can whip up a delicious macaroni salad with minimal effort. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, this recipe is a breeze to follow.

2. Macaroni salad is also incredibly versatile. It’s the perfect side dish for a backyard barbecue, a potluck, or a simple weekday lunch.

You can even customize the vegetables to suit your taste preferences. Take it one step further and make it a complete meal by adding diced ham or shredded cheese to the mix.

3. Unlike heavy and calorie-laden dishes, this macaroni salad recipe is refreshingly light. The combination of fresh vegetables and a creamy yet balanced dressing creates a dish that’s both satisfying and guilt-free. For an even lighter dish, use low calorie, fat free mayonnaise or Greek yogurt instead of standard mayo.

4. Additionally, for those with a busy schedule, this dish is quite the time saver. No need to spend hours in the kitchen.

You can have a flavorful and satisfying macaroni salad ready and in the fridge in less than 15 minutes! This is less time than it takes to check out at most grocery stores!

Ingredients Required To Make Macaroni Salad

1. Pasta

Because this is a small batch recipe, instead of using a full box of macaroni noodles you will only need half of the box (8 ounces). Then store the remaining noodles in an air tight container or use the noodles to make Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta for dinner later in the week.

However, don’t limit yourself to using only the traditional elbow noodles. Feel free to use other types of pasta as well.

Just be sure to pick a pasta that will hold up when being tossed with other ingredients. Some common substitutions are: ditalini, small shells, cavatappi, cavatelli, and farfalle.

Then follow the instructions on the back of the package to cook the pasta to al’ dente consistency. This way you will ensure that the pasta is just tender and won’t fall apart when being mixed in the dressing.

2. Vegetables

There are a variety of vegetables that you can use to make macaroni salad. However for this recipe we are using diced onion, bell pepper, celery, and carrots.

Just be sure that they are diced fine so that they don’t overpower the pasta. I use this Vegetable Chopper and can cut all the vegetables in a matter of minutes.

3. Dressing Ingredients

The homemade dressing is made with 4 basic ingredients (in addition to salt and pepper). Mayonnaise, vinegar, Dijon mustard and sugar are combined to give you that tangy yet sweet dressing that macaroni salad is known for.

However, I always like to add a little cayenne pepper powder to the dressing as well. Surprisingly it doesn’t add heat, it only enhances the other flavors in the dressing.

Small Batch Macaroni Salad Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup dry macaroni noodles
• 1 tablespoon finely diced onion
• 1/2 cup finely diced bell pepper, any color
• 1/4 cup finely diced celery
• 1/4 cup finely grated carrot

Dressing Ingredients

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 to 2 teaspoons granulated sugar, based on sweetness preference
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch of cayenne pepper powder, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

First, bring a medium pot of salted water to boil. Cook macaroni according to package instructions for al’ dente consistency. After that, drain and place the noodles on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray so that the pasta can cool completely without sticking. Set aside.

Next, place the dressing ingredients in a medium size bowl and whisk until well incorporated.

Then, add the diced vegetables to the bowl and toss to coat. Next, once the pasta has had 5-10 minutes to cool, add it to the bowl with the vegetables and toss well to coat.

Lastly, cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving.

So, there you have it – a simple and mouth watering macaroni salad recipe that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re planning a picnic, a small family gathering, or just a casual weekday meal, this macaroni salad is your go-to recipe.

Now, gather your ingredients, toss them together and get ready to enjoy this easy macaroni salad.

Enjoy! Mary

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