Macaroni Salad with Crunchy Veggies and Tangy Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-10 · Updated 2026-06-10

A playful twist on classic macaroni salad featuring crisp vegetables and a zesty homemade dressing that makes each bite fun and refreshing. This American-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 23 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2, diced celery stalks
• 1 medium, shredded carrot
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
• 3, thinly sliced green onions
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp sugar

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 8 oz elbow macaroni. Cook for 7-8 minutes until tender but still firm to the bite, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until smooth and tangy.
3. Step 3: Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl along with 2 diced celery stalks, 1 shredded medium carrot, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, and 3 thinly sliced green onions. Stir gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
4. Step 4: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld and the salad chill before serving.