Confetti Macaroni Salad
Bright, colorful, and bursting with fresh flavors, Confetti Macaroni Salad is a vibrant twist on the classic pasta salad, perfect for picnics, barbecues, or any gathering. This easy, 30-minute recipe combines tender elbow macaroni with a medley of crisp veggies like red and yellow bell peppers, celery, carrots, peas, and red onion, creating a visually stunning dish that lives up to its name. The creamy dressing, made with a balanced blend of mayonnaise, tangy Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard, infuses every bite with rich, zesty flavor. Served chilled and optionally garnished with fresh parsley, this crowd-pleasing salad is a refreshing, make-ahead side dish that's as nutritious as it is delicious.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper, diced
- 2 stalks celery stalks, diced
- 1 large carrot, grated
- 0.5 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 0.75 cup mayonnaise
- 0.25 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables: dice the red and yellow bell peppers, celery, and red onion; grate the carrot; and thaw the frozen peas.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
Add the cooked and cooled macaroni, diced vegetables, grated carrot, and thawed peas to the bowl with the dressing. Mix well to coat all ingredients evenly.
Taste the salad and adjust seasoning if needed by adding more salt or pepper to taste.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh, herby finish.
Serve chilled and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
398 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 23.9 g | 31% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.6 g | 18% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 11 mg | 4% | |
| Sodium | 603 mg | 26% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 39.0 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.5 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.6 g | ||
| Protein | 8.1 g | 16% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 48 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 2.1 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 329 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
