Macaroni Side Dish (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
01 -
Half a pound (250 g) of elbow macaroni.
02 -
One celery stalk, thinly sliced (1 cup).
03 -
Small red bell pepper, diced into small pieces (3/4 cup).
04 -
One large spring onion, chopped into thin rounds (3/4 cup).
05 -
A medium carrot, shredded with a basic grater.
06 -
Half a cup of mayonnaise made with whole eggs (try Hellmann's, Best Foods, or similar brands).
07 -
Half a cup of either sour cream or yogurt, low-fat or regular works fine.
08 -
A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
09 -
Two teaspoons of Dijon mustard.
10 -
Two teaspoons of sugar for a mild sweetness.
11 -
Three-quarters of a teaspoon of garlic powder.
12 -
Just over a teaspoon (1 1/4 tsp) of salt.
13 -
Half a teaspoon of black pepper.
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat up a big pot of water (about 4 to 5 quarts). Toss in 1 1/2 tablespoons of salt, then add the macaroni. Follow the directions on the pasta packet for cooking. Once it's ready, drain and leave it until it cools down.
02 -
In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, yogurt or sour cream, cider vinegar, Dijon, sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything blends smoothly.
03 -
In a big mixing bowl, place the cooled macaroni. Throw in the chopped vegetables—celery, diced red bell pepper, sliced green onions, and grated carrot. Pour the dressing over the top. Mix it all together so everything gets coated well.
04 -
Taste and tweak the flavors—add a bit more salt, sugar, cider vinegar, or mayo if needed. Let the salad sit for at least 20 minutes so the flavors can blend nicely. Serve it at room temperature, or even enjoy it the next day.
# Notes:
01 -
Elbow macaroni is the chosen type of pasta for this dish.
02 -
A combination of thinly chopped veggies like celery, bell pepper, green onion, and grated carrot gives it crunch and a hint of sweetness.
03 -
The dressing is rich and creamy but feels light due to the yogurt or sour cream mixed with mayonnaise.
04 -
Cooling the pasta properly ensures it doesn’t become mushy when stirred with the dressing.
05 -
You can switch up the ingredients and add things like bacon, boiled eggs, or pickles for a twist.
06 -
You could make a lighter version by opting for a dressing that doesn't have mayonnaise.