Creamy Macaroni Salad With Lemon And Dijon | CookOS

Creamy Macaroni Salad With Lemon And Dijon

Name: Creamy Macaroni Salad With Lemon And Dijon
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 oz elbow macaroni; 2 tbsp minced red onion; 1 large carrot, peeled and shredded; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; ¾ cup mayonnaise; 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped

This creamy macaroni salad combines elbow pasta with tangy lemon juice and Dijon mustard to cut through the richness of mayonnaise. It's an ideal make-ahead side for warm-weather gatherings that tastes equally good chilled or at room temperature.

🌍American 🥗Vegetarian 🏷️Classic 🏷️Macaroni 🏷️Pasta salad 🏷️Picnic

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Total

55 min

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$16–$26

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Recette Magazine

Ingredients

8 oz elbow macaroni
2 tbsp minced red onion
1 large carrot, peeled and shredded
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
¾ cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped

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Instructions

1
Place 8 oz macaroni in the Suvie starch strainer set within the Suvie pasta pot (green handles). Place pan in the Suvie Starch Cooker, ensuring the pot is centered on the hot plate. Input settings: Pasta, 4 cups, 10 minutes, and cook now or schedule.
2
While the pasta cooks, stir red onion, carrot, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, and parsley together in a large bowl. Set aside in the fridge until pasta is done cooking.
3
After the cook, drain pasta well and transfer to the bowl with the mayonnaise mixture. Stir to incorporate. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Cool the cooked pasta completely before mixing with dressing to prevent the mayo from breaking or becoming greasy.
Mince the red onion finely and let it sit in the lemon juice for 5 minutes before adding to soften its bite.
Whisk the Dijon mustard into the mayo first to distribute the flavor evenly throughout the salad.
Taste and adjust lemon juice and mustard at the end—these seasonings can mellow after a few hours of refrigeration.

Substitutions

Mayonnaise → Greek yogurt or sour cream (use 50% mayo, 50% yogurt for tangier, lighter texture)
Red onion → White onion or shallots (red onion adds color; white is milder)
Lemon juice → Fresh lime juice (adds different citrus brightness)
Fresh parsley → Fresh dill or chives (for different herbal note)

Storage & make-ahead

Refrigerate covered for up to 3 days. Stir in a splash of lemon juice or milk before serving if the salad dries out.

Common Questions

Can I make this macaroni salad ahead of time?

Yes, it's ideal for make-ahead cooking. Prepare it up to 2 days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. The flavors will meld and deepen.

Should the pasta be cooked all the way through?

Cook pasta until al dente (just tender). Overcooked pasta will become mushy when mixed with the creamy dressing.

Can I substitute the mayonnaise?

Greek yogurt or sour cream can replace half the mayo for a lighter version, though it will be less creamy. Avoid full replacement as mayo provides essential binding.