Side Mac Salad Recipe
Make Side Mac Salad Recipe in just 45m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Pasta Salad Base
Vegetables and Add-ins
Dressing
Method
Cooking the Pasta
- 1
Boil the Pasta
In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 tsp of salt to the boiling water.
- 2
Cook the Macaroni
Add 2 cups of elbow macaroni to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 7-8 minutes.
- 3
Drain and Cool
Once cooked, drain the macaroni in a colander and rinse under cold water to cool completely. Set aside.
Preparing the Salad
- 4
- 5
Cook the Peas
If using frozen green peas, quickly blanch them in boiling water for about 2 minutes, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.
- 6
Combine Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled macaroni, diced celery, green bell pepper, red onion, grated carrots, and green peas. Mix well.
Making the Dressing
- 7
Prepare the Dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tbs of Dijon mustard, 2 tbs of apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp of sugar, 1 tsp of salt, and 1 tsp of black pepper until smooth.
- 8
Combine Dressing with Salad
Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture, and mix thoroughly until everything is well coated.
Chilling and Serving
- 9
Chill the Salad
Cover the salad with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
- 10
Serve the Salad
Before serving, give the salad a good stir. Serve chilled as a side dish.
