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Creamy Italian Macaroni Salad

Creamy Italian Macaroni Salad: The Perfect Summer Side Dish

Creamy Italian Macaroni Salad is a breeze to make, delicious, and perfect for summer gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 2 cups Elbow Macaroni or small shells/fusilli
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for a lighter option
  • 1/2 cup Italian Dressing adjust to taste
  • 2 tablespoons White Vinegar add more for a zippier kick
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar adjust to taste
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black Pepper
For the Veggies
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup Cucumber diced
  • 1/2 cup Red Onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Black Olives sliced, optional
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley chopped, for garnish
Optional Add-ins
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese grated, optional
  • 1 cup Salami diced, optional

Equipment

  • large pot
  • mixing bowl
  • Colander
  • spatula

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Italian dressing, white vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
  3. Once the macaroni is cool, fold it into the dressing until thoroughly coated.
  4. Stir in the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and black olives until evenly mixed.
  5. If using, fold in the diced salami or mozzarella.
  6. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the salad and toss to combine.
  7. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving, garnish with fresh parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 6gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 450mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze without delicate ingredients for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.

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