Creamy Macaroni Salad with Bacon and Vegetables
A delightful macaroni salad featuring crispy bacon, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy dressing, perfect for gatherings and picnics.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Omnivore
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced bell pepper
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and rinse the macaroni under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Combine the rinsed macaroni, crumbled bacon, diced celery, diced bell pepper, and halved cherry tomatoes in a large mixing bowl. Toss everything together gently to mix.
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the dressing over the macaroni mixture. Stir everything together until well combined, ensuring every piece of macaroni is coated with that creamy goodness.
- Chill the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. When it’s time to eat, give the salad a good stir and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Notes
For best flavor, chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Customize with additional vegetables or herbs as desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 25mg