Description
This Classic Macaroni Salad is a creamy, tangy, and refreshing side dish perfect for picnics, barbecues, and easy weeknight dinners. Made with gluten-free elbow macaroni and a flavorful dressing of mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard, it’s packed with crunchy vegetables like celery, red bell pepper, carrots, and red onion for added texture and color.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 ounces Gluten Free elbow macaroni
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (more to taste)
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Vegetables
- 2 celery ribs (minced)
- 1 red bell pepper (seeded and minced)
- 1 cup carrots (grated, about 2 medium carrots)
- ¼ red onion (minced)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil the gluten-free elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until tender. Drain well, rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process, and set aside to drain completely.
- Prepare dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, fine sea salt, and ground black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Combine salad: Add the cooked and cooled pasta into the dressing bowl along with the minced celery, red bell pepper, grated carrots, and minced red onion. Stir everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Chill and serve: Serve the macaroni salad immediately or refrigerate it until ready to use. The flavors meld beautifully after chilling, and the salad can be kept for up to 4 days refrigerated.
Notes
- Use gluten-free pasta to keep the dish gluten-free.
- Honey is optional and can be omitted for a less sweet salad.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste for best flavor.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and consume within 4 days.
- For added protein, consider mixing in cooked and diced chicken or boiled eggs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
