Are you looking for a delicious and easy-to-make mac salad recipe to take to your next picnic, barbecue, or potluck? Look no further!
This creamy mac salad recipe is a classic summer side dish that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Recipe Details:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes (for cooking the macaroni)
- Total Time: 23-25 minutes
- Servings: 6-8 people
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces macaroni
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced hard-boiled egg
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Execution:
- Cook the Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain the macaroni and set it aside to cool.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Dice the celery, onion, hard-boiled egg, and red bell pepper.
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and prepared yellow mustard.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the cooled macaroni, diced vegetables, and dressing to a large bowl. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Season and Serve: Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives, if desired.
Additional Tips:
- To make the salad more substantial, you can add some diced cooked chicken, bacon, or ham.
- To make the salad more colorful, you can add some diced yellow or orange bell peppers.
- You can also customize the salad to your taste by adding other ingredients, such as diced pickles or chopped fresh herbs.
Health Benefits of Mac Salad
This mac salad recipe is a good source of complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. The macaroni provides complex carbohydrates for energy, while the mayonnaise and eggs provide healthy fats and protein.
The vegetables add fiber, vitamins, and minerals to the salad.
