Sweet N Sour Macaroni Salad
This Sweet N Sour Macaroni Salad is a vibrant twist on a classic side dish, combining creamy richness with a tangy-sweet dressing that will tantalize your taste buds. Packed with colorful vegetables like shredded carrots, crunchy celery, diced red bell pepper, and zesty red onion, this recipe offers a refreshing medley of textures in every bite. The homemade dressing—crafted with mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a touch of sugar—adds an irresistible balance of sweet and tangy flavors that pairs perfectly with the tender elbow macaroni. Easy to prepare in under 30 minutes, this chilled salad is ideal for picnics, potlucks, or as a versatile side dish for weeknight dinners. With its crowd-pleasing appeal and burst of flavor, Sweet N Sour Macaroni Salad is a must-try for any occasion!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 medium carrot, shredded
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 large celery stalk, diced
- 0.5 medium red onion, finely chopped
- 0.75 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, ground
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, and set aside to cool completely.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded carrot, diced red bell pepper, diced celery, and finely chopped red onion.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well-combined. This will be your sweet-and-sour dressing.
Once the macaroni is fully cooled, add it to the large mixing bowl with the vegetables.
Pour the sweet-and-sour dressing over the macaroni and vegetables, and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
Serve chilled as a side dish or standalone treat. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
383 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 23.5 g | 30% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5 g | 17% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 11 mg | 4% | |
| Sodium | 395 mg | 17% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 38.2 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.5 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.0 g | ||
| Protein | 5.4 g | 11% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 22 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 1.5 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 180 mg | 4% | |
*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.
