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This quick and easy recipe for The Best Classic Macaroni Salad is perfect for your next picnic, get-together, or holiday gathering! I’ve also shared simple substitutions to lighten up the recipe without sacrificing flavor and taste.  The dressing for this recipe is a tangy, creamy sauce made with a traditional mayo and sour cream base.  For extra flavor, I add red bell peppers, celery, onion, and pickle relish.  This Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe is so good and you’ll find it to be a great go-to recipe.




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Macaroni Salad

What Healthier Ingredients Make This Salad?

To make this recipe healthier, I like to use whole wheat pasta or high protein pasta. Whole wheat pasta has a few more servings of whole grains in comparison to traditional pasta and high protein pasta is made with extra protein for each serving.  To make a lighter dressing, I substitute with nonfat Greek yogurt and light mayo. This will save on fat and calories per serving. In addition, adding crunchy fresh veggies packs in more fiber and protein to the recipe.

Bring this salad to a picnic, cookout, or just make a big bowl for lunch. For more picnic recipes, try my Chickpea Pearl Couscous Salad with Vegetables!

Macaroni Salad Plated

Ingredients in Macaroni Salad Classic Light Recipe

Macaroni Salad Ingredients

  • elbow macaroni pasta (skinny swap whole-wheat elbow macaroni)
  • mayonnaise (skinny swap light mayonnaise)
  • plain Greek yogurt (skinny swap nonfat Greek yogurt)
  • apple cider vinegar
  • sweet pickle relish
  • yellow mustard
  • celery
  • green onions
  • red bell pepper
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • sugar

How to Make Macaroni Salad Classic Light Recipe

Cook the pasta according to package directions for al dente.

dressing

While the pasta is cooking, make the dressing. In a large bowl, stir together the yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, pickle relish, mustard, sugar, salt and black pepper.

Close Up Noodles

Drain the cooked noodles and run them under cold water to quickly cool them down. Add the noodles to the dressing bowl.

Vegetables

Add the celery and red pepper, and gently stir to combine and evenly cover with the dressing.

Top with green onions.  Chill before serving if possible.

The Best Classic Macaroni Salad Plated

Recipe
Macaroni Salad Classic Light Recipe
Recipe
5 from 2 votes
click the stars to rate!

The Best Classic Macaroni Salad

Created by: Brooke Farmer
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
8 servings
My classic macaroni salad with substitutions to make a lighter macaroni salad features all of the classic flavors of the traditional version but gives options. to use healthier ingredients like whole wheat pasta and veggies!

Ingredients
 

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni (skinny swap whole wheat or protein added)
  • 1/2 cup plain, Greek yogurt (skinny swap non-fat Greek yogurt)
  • 3/4 cup Mayonnaise (skinny swap light mayonnaise)
  • 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar (can sub white vinegar)
  • 2 tbsp Sweet Pickle Relish
  • 2 tsp Yellow Mustard
  • 1.5 tbsp sugar
  • 2 ribs Celery, sliced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 Green Onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper, diced
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to package directions for al dente.
  • While the pasta is cooking, make the dressing. In a large bowl, stir together the yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, pickle relish, mustard, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
  • Drain the cooked noodles and run them under cold water to quickly cool them down. Add the noodles to the dressing bowl.
  • Add the celery and red pepper, and gently stir to combine and evenly cover with the dressing.
  • Top with green onions.
  • Chill before serving if possible.

did you make this recipe?

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