Confetti Macaroni Salad

Bright, colorful, and bursting with fresh flavors, Confetti Macaroni Salad is a vibrant twist on the classic pasta salad, perfect for picnics, barbecues, or any gathering. This easy, 30-minute recipe combines tender elbow macaroni with a medley of crisp veggies like red and yellow bell peppers, celery, carrots, peas, and red onion, creating a visually stunning dish that lives up to its name. The creamy dressing, made with a balanced blend of mayonnaise, tangy Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard, infuses every bite with rich, zesty flavor. Served chilled and optionally garnished with fresh parsley, this crowd-pleasing salad is a refreshing, make-ahead side dish that's as nutritious as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, diced
• 2 stalks celery stalks, diced
• 1 large carrot, grated
• 0.5 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 0.75 cup mayonnaise
• 0.25 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables: dice the red and yellow bell peppers, celery, and red onion; grate the carrot; and thaw the frozen peas.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 4

Add the cooked and cooled macaroni, diced vegetables, grated carrot, and thawed peas to the bowl with the dressing. Mix well to coat all ingredients evenly.

Step 5

Taste the salad and adjust seasoning if needed by adding more salt or pepper to taste.

Step 6

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Before serving, sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh, herby finish.

Step 8

Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1244.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2505.3

Total Fat 137.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 12.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 178.4mg	0%
Sodium 3182.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 265.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.8g	0%
Total Sugars 47.9g
Protein 49.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 234.8mg	0%
Iron 13.2mg	0%
Potassium 1908.7mg	0%

*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: 49.6%

Protein: 7.9%

Carbs: 42.6%