Healthy Macaroni Salad

Light, refreshing, and packed with nutritious ingredients, this Healthy Macaroni Salad is the perfect guilt-free twist on a classic. Made with whole wheat elbow macaroni and a creamy yet wholesome Greek yogurt-based dressing, this salad is bursting with vibrant flavors from fresh celery, red bell pepper, shredded carrot, peas, and green onions. A touch of honey and lemon juice adds a sweet and tangy balance, while olive oil and parsley bring a dash of heart-healthy goodness. Ready in just over 20 minutes and packed with fiber, protein, and crunch, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect for meal prep, summer potlucks, or a side dish that the whole family will love. Serve it chilled for a refreshing bite, and enjoy the fusion of creamy and crisp textures in every forkful!

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:8 mins

Total Time:23 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups Whole wheat elbow macaroni
• 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain, nonfat)
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper (freshly ground)
• 1 cup Celery (chopped)
• 1 medium Red bell pepper (diced)
• 1 medium Carrot (shredded)
• 2 stalks Green onions (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped)
• 0.5 cup Frozen peas (thawed)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the whole wheat elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy. This will be your dressing.

Step 3

Add the cooled macaroni to the mixing bowl with the dressing. Stir until the pasta is well-coated.

Step 4

Fold in the chopped celery, diced red bell pepper, shredded carrot, sliced green onions, chopped parsley, and thawed peas. Mix gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.

Step 5

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed.

Step 6

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Before serving, give the salad a final stir to ensure the dressing is evenly distributed. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1052 grams (1052.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1286

Total Fat 20.10g	26%
Saturated Fat 3.20g	16%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 8mg	3%
Sodium 1495mg	65%
Total Carbohydrate 223.70g	81%
Dietary Fiber 28.20g	101%
Total Sugars 37.50g
Protein 66.40g	133%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 454mg	35%
Iron 12mg	67%
Potassium 2402mg	51%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 13.5%

Protein: 19.8%

Carbs: 66.7%