Macaroni salad is a classic and a staple of barbecues and picnics. And with summer coming up, it’s about to be peak mac salad season. But we all know that as delicious as it is, macaroni salad isn’t exactly healthy. So can you make a healthier version? Why, yes you can, and here’s how.
Ingredients
- Whole-wheat elbow macaroni
- Water
- Cucumber
- Diced hard-boiled egg
- Celery
- Carrot
- Vegan mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- Lemon juice
- Vinegar
- Mustard
- Salt
- Pepper
Directions
The good news is that making macaroni salad, healthy or otherwise, is actually incredibly easy and simple, so as long as you have the right ingredients, it should all come together rather quickly.
First, just cook your macaroni according to package instructions. You can use whole wheat or any other healthier macaroni substitute that you can find and enjoy, like macaroni made with vegetables or extra protein. Drain and rinse. In a large bowl, combine celery, carrot, hard-boiled eggs (these are optional, as they are known for being high in cholesterol), and cucumber.
Toss macaroni in vegan mayonnaise or greek yogurt, whichever you choose. If you’re using greek yogurt, you’ll probably want to add lemon juice, vinegar, and/or mustard for flavor. Add the pre-mixed vegetable and egg mixture. Toss together until everything is evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
