Vegan Macaroni Salad (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (original) (raw)

This is a crowd-pleasing Vegan Macaroni Salad recipe loaded with colorful veggies tossed in a classic creamy sauce that’s quick and easy, and a perfect pasta salad for summer potlucks and parties!

It has been ages since I’ve had macaroni salad and this vegan version did not disappoint in the least! In fact, once you start eating it, you can’t stop!

This is pretty much the ultimate vegan macaroni salad and my new favorite classic side dish for summer picnics and BBQs.

I love that this recipe can easily be customized and uses lots of fresh ingredients. The dressing is creamy, silky, and perfectly seasoned, and flavorful.

So without further ado, let’s make something worth eating and repeating!

Ingredients You’ll Need

In this recipe, tender pasta is tossed with a variety of colorful veggies, herbs, and creamy dressing for a classic macaroni salad everyone will love!

Here is everything you need:

• Pasta – I used Elbow, but you can switch it up using your favorite such as short macaroni, penne, shells, etc.
• Veggies: My favorite mix is Red onion, Red bell pepper, Carrot, Celery, and Peas (fresh or frozen). It’s a colorful mix with plenty of texture!
• Herb: Dill – Fresh is best, but half the amount of dried is ok too.
• Dressing: My favorite creamy dressing is made with Vegan mayo, Apple cider vinegar (can sub with fresh lemon juice), Dijon, Pure maple syrup, and Salt & Pepper.

How To Make Vegan Macaroni Salad

Making macaroni salad only requires a few simple steps.

• Boil the pasta. Start by boiling your elbow macaroni noodles until they are al dente. Quickly drain the noodles and run cool water over them to keep them from cooking any further.
• Prep the produce. While the pasta is cooking, prep the produce and whisk together the creamy sauce.
• Assemble: In a mixing bowl (or pot you cooked the pasta), add the pasta, veggies, and dill, pour the creamy sauce overtop, and toss to coat. Keep the salad chilled until ready to serve.

It’s truly and easy recipe anyone can master!

What Other Add-ins Can I Use?

I love that macaroni salad is so easily customizable. You can add in whatever you like to suit your taste or use whatever you have on hand.

Some other optional add-ins to mix and match include:

• Green onions
• Vegan Cheddar Cheese
• Radish
• Fresh Corn off the Cobb
• Olives
• Coconut Bacon
• Pickles

I only use a handful of these at a time. You can see there are many ways to customize macaroni salad making it perfect for you!

Looking To Cut The Mayo?

Instead of using all mayo, you can use half plain vegan yogurt and half mayo. Or you can try using half vegan sour cream and half mayo. This would also be delicious with a tahini base, using 1/3 cup tahini mixed with 1/3 cup water, adding more water and tahini as needed. But I do love the vegan mayo the best since that is what helps keep this macaroni salad nice and ultra-creamy.

How To Store Leftovers

• Refrigerator: Leftovers can be stored for 5 – 6 days in the refrigerator in a covered container.
• Make ahead: Macaroni salad is great made ahead and tastes even better the second day, once the flavors have had a chance to blend together. Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Make sure to give a good stir before serving.

Serving Suggestions

This macaroni salad has a creamy, fresh, and tangy flavor, which makes it perfect for pairing with a variety of main courses or side dishes.

A few of my favorite options are:

• Serve with Smoky Black Bean Burgers
• Serve alongside Healthy Baked Beans, Vegan Potato Salad, or Classic Vegan Coleslaw
• Pairs well with Grilled Kielbasa & Veggie Kabobs or Sausage with Pepper and Potatoes

More Vegan Side Recipes!

• Lemony Asparagus Pasta Salad
• Vegan Potato Salad
• Vegan Coleslaw
• Radish Cucumber Salad
• Healthy Baked Beans
• See all vegan side dish recipes on TSV!

If you try this macaroni salad recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.

Print

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 14 reviews

This easy macaroni salad is loaded with veggies and tossed in a delicious creamy sauce, and is a perfect side dish to bring to Summer BBQ’s, parties and more!

• Prep Time: 10 min

• Cook Time: 10 min

• Total Time: 20 minutes

• Yield: Serves 12 1x

• Category: Side Dish

• Method: Boil, Mix

• Cuisine: Vegan, American

• 1 lb. elbow pasta

• 1/2 red onion, diced

• 1 red bell pepper, cored and diced

• 1 large carrot (about 1 cup), peeled and diced

• 2 stalks celery (about 1 cup), diced

• 1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed

• 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped

Macaroni Dressing

• 1 cup vegan mayo
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 heaping tablespoon dijon
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon mineral salt, or to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Pasta: Boil your elbow macaroni noodles until they are al dente, according to package directions. Drain the noodles and run them under cool running water to stop them from cooking.

Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the creamy sauce.

Assemble: In a large mixing bowl, or pot you cooked the pasta, add the pasta, onion, bell pepper, carrots, celery, peas and dill. Pour the creamy sauce overtop and toss well to coat. Keep the salad chilled until ready to serve.

Serves 12

Store: Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 – 6 days in a covered container.

Notes

I love lots of veggies in my macaroni salad, feel free to adjust the amounts to suit your taste.

Use gluten-free noodles to keep gluten-free.

For variation try these other add-ins mixing and matching to suit your taste:

• Sliced Green Onions
• Diced Radish
• Fresh Corn off the Cob
• Olives
• Coconut bacon
• Pickles

Dressing

• 1/2 – 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder

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