Elevate your lunchtime or side dishes with this vibrant and creamy macaroni salad, inspired by Italian flavors and packed with wholesome, fresh vegetables. This dish comes together effortlessly and is perfect for those looking for a light yet satisfying meal. Ideal for weight-conscious folks, busy weekdays, or as a colorful addition to your picnic spread, this eggless mayonnaise-based pasta salad features tender elbow macaroni, crunchy onions, sweet julienned carrots, crisp capsicum, plump cherry tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. It’s a celebration of flavors and textures, providing both nutrition and delightful taste in every bite. What sets this salad apart is its flexibility—swap in your favorite veggies like broccoli or sweet corn, or try different pasta shapes for a playful twist. Letting the salad rest in the fridge before serving helps the flavors meld beautifully, so it’s also perfect for making ahead. Light, creamy, and bursting with garden-fresh goodness, this macaroni salad is sure to please kids and adults alike.
Creamy Macaroni Salad: Easy Italian-Inspired Pasta Salad
Print RecipeIngredients
- 4 cup water
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup elbow macaroni
- 4 tsp eggless mayonnaise
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ¼ onion, thinly sliced
- ½ carrot, julienned
- ¼ capsicum, julienned
- 5 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tbsp spring onion, chopped
- 1 tsp dill leaves, finely chopped
Instructions
Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan and stir in oil and salt.
Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes.
Drain the cooked pasta and rinse with cold water to halt further cooking. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggless mayonnaise, black pepper, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt until smooth to create your dressing.
Add onion, carrot, capsicum, cherry tomatoes, and spring onion to the bowl.
Fold in the cooked macaroni and gently toss everything so that the pasta and vegetables are well coated with the creamy dressing.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to blend.
Garnish with fresh dill leaves before serving for a burst of herby fragrance.
Notes
Tips:
Drizzle a teaspoon of oil into boiling water to prevent the pasta from sticking together., Add a small amount of sugar to the dressing to appeal to kids, or stir in mustard powder for a zingy, traditional flavor., Feel free to swap elbow macaroni for any small pasta shape, or to add steamed vegetables for more nutrition., For best results, let the salad chill before serving—this deepens its flavor and makes it extra creamy.