Name: Creamy Macaroni Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 16 servings
Ingredients: 1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni; 1 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise; 3 to 4 tablespoons water or 2% milk; 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1-1/2 teaspoons salt; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 small sweet yellow, orange or red pepper, finely chopped; 1 small green pepper, finely chopped; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 1 celery rib, finely chopped; 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

This creamy macaroni salad recipe is a classic cold noodle dish with oodles of crowd appeal. It features tender macaroni and crisp, colorful veggies tossed with an ultra-creamy, sweet-and-tangy dressing.

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni

1 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise

3 to 4 tablespoons water or 2% milk

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon sugar

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 small sweet yellow, orange or red pepper, finely chopped

1 small green pepper, finely chopped

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 celery rib, finely chopped

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Instructions

1 Cook the pasta

2 Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water and drain again. Editor's Tip: Water can get trapped in the holes of the macaroni, so make sure to vigorously shake the colander to free any hidden droplets.

3 Make the creamy dressing

4 In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, water, vinegar, sugar, salt, garlic powder and pepper until blended.

5 Mix and chill the salad

6 In a large bowl, combine the cooled macaroni, peppers, onion and celery. Add 1 cup dressing and toss to coat. Refrigerate the salad, covered, until chilled, about two hours. Also, cover and refrigerate the remaining dressing.

7 Finish and serve the creamy macaroni salad

8 When you're ready to serve the salad, mix in the remaining dressing and sprinkle the salad with parsley. Editor's Tip: Now is a good time to taste the salad and decide if it needs more salt, pepper, vinegar or spice. Don't be afraid to season it to your liking.