Healthy Macaroni Salad

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Light, refreshing, and packed with nutritious ingredients, this Healthy Macaroni Salad is the perfect guilt-free twist on a classic. Made with whole wheat elbow macaroni and a creamy yet wholesome Greek yogurt-based dressing, this salad is bursting with vibrant flavors from fresh celery, red bell pepper, shredded carrot, peas, and green onions. A touch of honey and lemon juice adds a sweet and tangy balance, while olive oil and parsley bring a dash of heart-healthy goodness. Ready in just over 20 minutes and packed with fiber, protein, and crunch, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect for meal prep, summer potlucks, or a side dish that the whole family will love. Serve it chilled for a refreshing bite, and enjoy the fusion of creamy and crisp textures in every forkful!

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 8 min
• Total Time: 23 min
• Servings: 6 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

13 items

• 2 cups Whole wheat elbow macaroni
• 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain, nonfat)
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper (freshly ground)
• 1 cup Celery (chopped)
• 1 medium Red bell pepper (diced)
• 1 medium Carrot (shredded)
• 2 stalks Green onions (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped)
• 0.5 cup Frozen peas (thawed)

📝 Instructions

7 steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the whole wheat elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy. This will be your dressing.

3. Add the cooled macaroni to the mixing bowl with the dressing. Stir until the pasta is well-coated.

4. Fold in the chopped celery, diced red bell pepper, shredded carrot, sliced green onions, chopped parsley, and thawed peas. Mix gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.

5. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed.

6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

7. Before serving, give the salad a final stir to ensure the dressing is evenly distributed. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (159.2g)

Calories		205
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		3.2 g	4%
	Saturated Fat	0.5 g	2%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		1 mg	0%
Sodium		215 mg	9%
Total Carbohydrate		35.5 g	13%
	Dietary Fiber	4.1 g	15%
	Total Sugars	5.7 g
Protein		10.3 g	21%
Vitamin D		0.0 mcg	0%
Calcium		74 mg	6%
Iron		1.9 mg	11%
Potassium		353 mg	8%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 173 cal (13.6%%)

Protein: 250 cal (19.6%%)

Carbs: 851 cal (66.8%%)