This whole-family treat is a nutritious macaroni salad made with whole wheat noodles and less sugar.
| Prep Time: | 20 mins |
| Cook Time: | 10 mins |
| Additional Time: | 4 hrs |
| Total Time: | 4 hrs 30 mins |
| Servings: | 10 |
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole wheat elbow macaroni
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
- 2 ½ tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- ¼ cup grated carrot
- 2 tablespoons chopped pimento peppers (Optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Mix together mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, mustard, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Stir in macaroni, onion, bell peppers, celery, carrot, and pimento peppers until well combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.
- This recipe is a healthier version of
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Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 281 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 28 g |
| Cholesterol | 8 mg |
| Dietary Fiber | 3 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g |
| Sodium | 530 mg |
| Sugars | 9 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 0 g |
Reviews
I would leave out the sugar completely add English peas instead of celery, bell pepper and carrot. Use lean ham bites in place of pimento.
I added cheese and eggs, instead of some of the other add ins..but everyone loved it!!
It was easy to make and turned out great!
Very good as written!
My wife liked it!
Delicious recipe !
I added sliced carrots, radishes and celery. I increased the amount of dressing to 1 1/2 Cups.
The children loved this
First of all, I agree with the various reviewers who say no vinegar is necessary, which also makes the added sugar unnecessary (in my house, white vinegar is a cleaning product, not a food, although I do use other vinegars – occasionally). Since I make my own mayonnaise, that was enough of that. But, my goodness, how can you make macaroni salad without seasonings? I use a variety of herbs, depending on what smells good the day I cook; more so now that my doctor tells me to reduce sodium. And I would NEVER leave out the garlic! I’ve come a long way since my mother taught me that “seasoning” consisted of salt and pepper – and the pepper was optional. Oh, and healthier or not, I cannot abide whole wheat pasta, so I used regular semolina. I also appreciated the reviewer who used corn instead of carrots, and the one who suggested green onions. I always have those!
The only change I made was to eliminate the sugar entirely. Just as tasty without the added sugar, especially with the carrots added to the mix.
I have made this very basic recipe for years, and have never added or needed to add either sugar or vinegar. The quality of your mayonnaise should be more than adequate for the recipe. Too much sugar already used in too much of our food these days, and this one certainly does not need such add.
Substituted corn and chopped red pepper for carrots and pimentos. Tasted great!
Way to sweet with all that sugar. I ruined it by adding sugar.
As a diabetic, I’m all about making healthier choices. So I omitted the sugar, the vinegar and reduced the Mayo to 1/2 cup making up the other 1/2 cup difference with poppyseed dressing.
When I make a double batch for pot luck dinners at church, I triple the dressing to make it a little juicier. I also add 2-3 fresh jalapenos. Everyone seems to like it!
I only used 3/4 cup of mayonnaise but added about 2 tablespoons of Italian dressing. I used less sugar, around 2 tablespoons, since the dressing has a little sweetness to it. I also added a crown of broccoli with stalk for crunchiness. It was fast, easy, and had all the ingredients at home for a last minute party dish. People were fighting over leftovers at the end of the night.
Substituted Splenda for sugar. Substituted Hengstenberg Vinegar w herbs (white) for white vinegar. I did not have fresh peppers, but always keep frozen pepper strips and used them – a melange of yellow, green, and red peppers. Followed recipe amounts exactly. Used Barilla ProteinPlus elbows. Absolutely delicious!!!
Thanks for this recipe. I make it often during the summer. Slight variation though. I took out the pimento and added diced cucumbers. My kids gobble it up.
Actually to make this a healthy macaroni salad, just cutting the sugar and using wheat elbow macaroni doesn’t cut it!! Ya gotta cut the fat!! So I used low fat mayo. NOW it’s a healthy macaroni salad and still tastes wonderful and still creamy!! No one could tell the difference!!
I made it for my party last night and another lady wanted the recipe so bad that she wants me to bring it over to her house once I get it printed out. She has a party that she will go to and she wants to bring this dish with her . Love it so much., thanks! :))))
This was the best macaroni salad I’ve ever made. Everyone loved it. I will definitely be making this again, and probably claiming it’s a secret family recipe 😉