Whole Wheat Macaroni Salad Food

HEALTHIER CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain.
• Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl. Stir in onion, celery, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, carrot, pimentos, and macaroni. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, before serving.

ALEX'S SIMPLE WHOLE WHEAT PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Place the pepper directly over a gas flame to char and cook, turning, about 3 minutes per side. Place the pepper in a bowl and let sit, uncovered, until cool enough to handle.
• Place the pepper on a cutting board. Remove the seeds and core and open the pepper up so it lies flat on the cutting board, charred skin-side up. Use a kitchen towel to wipe the charred skin away. Sprinkle the pepper with the sugar, then chop the pepper into 1/4-inch dice. Place the diced peppers back in the bowl and drizzle with the vinegar. Set aside.
• Bring 4 quarts water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add a generous amount of salt. (It should taste like seawater.) Cook the pasta, stirring from time to time, until "al dente" (chewy but not hard or raw tasting), 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
• Transfer the pasta to a large bowl and toss with the pesto. If the pesto is too thick, add some pasta water to thin it out. Place half of the pasta in a serving bowl, then top with half of the Parmesan and half of the roasted peppers. Top with the remaining pasta, Parmesan and roasted peppers. Garnish with fresh basil and serve.
• Pulse the basil with the garlic, sugar and salt in a food processor. Slowly stream in 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/4 cup water through the top of the machine, pulsing until almost completely smooth. Taste for seasoning. Add more oil if too chunky or dry. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the Parmesan.

WHOLE WHEAT ROTINI PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot with lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Cook rotini at a boil until the pasta is cooked yet slightly firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain.
• Rinse the pasta with cold water until completely chilled; drain completely.
• While the pasta cooks, whisk the apple cider vinegar and olive oil together in a large bowl until blended. Stir feta cheese, basil, salt, and black pepper into the vinaigrette.
• Fold the asparagus, tomatoes, carrots, green onions, and garlic into the vinaigrette to coat evenly.
• Stir the cooled pasta into the vegetable mixture; toss until evenly mixed.

WHOLE WHEAT MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse.
• Mix pasta, celery, red onion, red pepper, and sweet pickles in large bowl.
• Mix dressing and combine with pasta and vegetable mixture.
• Refrigerate several hours or overnight before serving.

WHOLE-WHEAT PASTA SALAD WITH WALNUTS AND FETA CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain the pasta, rinse it under cold water, and put it in the refrigerator to chill.
• In a dry saute pan toast the walnuts over a medium-high flame until they are fragrant, about 2 minutes. Set the walnuts aside to cool then chop them coarsely.
• In a large bowl, toss together the chilled pasta, walnuts, feta cheese, onion, and spinach. In a small bowl whisk the oil, vinegar, garlic and mustard. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

WHOLE WHEAT PASTA SALAD WITH CHICKEN

Steps:

• 1. In a large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients.
• 2. In a small bowl, combine the dressing ingredients and stir well. Pour over the salad and toss.
• 3. Enjoy!

WHOLE WHEAT ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Boil pasta in salted water until Al Dente. Drain and set aside.
• Heat 1T of EVOO in a medium pan over medium heat. Add pepperoni and cook until it becomes crispy.
• Then add the onion and cook for 2 minutes or until it becomes soft and translucent.
• Add garlic and cook for an additional minute and add the pasta.
• Add water and the peas and stir the pan.
• Cook until water is evaporated or absorbed and pour dish onto a large plate.
• Place in refrigerator to cool and top with remaining EVOO before serving!