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Veggie-Packed Macaroni Salad - Bright, Crunchy, and Crowd-Friendly

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Elbow macaroni: 12 ounces (about 3/4 of a standard 16-ounce box)
  • Bell peppers: 1 red and 1 yellow, diced small
  • Celery: 3 ribs, finely chopped
  • Carrots: 2 medium, grated or finely diced
  • Red onion: 1/2 medium, finely minced
  • Frozen peas: 1 cup, thawed
  • Fresh parsley or dill: 1/4 cup, chopped
  • Mayonnaise: 3/4 cup
  • Greek yogurt or sour cream: 1/2 cup
  • Dijon mustard: 1 tablespoon
  • Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar: 2 tablespoons
  • Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon (optional but bright)
  • Sugar or honey: 1 to 2 teaspoons, to taste
  • Garlic powder: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Celery seed: 1/2 teaspoon (optional but classic)
  • Kosher salt and black pepper: to taste
  • Olive oil: 1 tablespoon (for the pasta)

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until just past al dente, about 1 minute longer than the package suggests for salad-friendly tenderness.
  2. Rinse and cool: Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Shake well to remove excess water, then toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking.
  3. Prep the veggies: While the pasta cools, dice the bell peppers, chop the celery, grate the carrots, mince the red onion, and thaw the peas. Chop the fresh herbs.
  4. Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, garlic powder, celery seed, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust acidity or sweetness as needed.
  5. Combine: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing. Fold in the peppers, celery, carrots, red onion, peas, and herbs until everything is coated evenly.
  6. Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 1–2 hours. This helps the flavors meld.
  7. Final seasoning: Before serving, taste and add a pinch of salt, pepper, or an extra splash of vinegar if the flavors need a lift. If it seems a bit dry, stir in a spoonful of yogurt or a drizzle of milk to loosen it up.
  8. Serve: Garnish with extra herbs or a sprinkle of paprika for color. Serve cold or at cool room temperature.