Italian Macaroni Salad with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe

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Macaroni Salad Recipe and Its Benefits

  • Key Macaroni Salad Ingredients
  • Nutrition Facts
  • How to Make a Macaroni Salad
  • Other Recommended Pasta Dishes
  • Macaroni Salad Recipe

I used to think macaroni salad wasn’t that exciting. But then I decided to create my own version with fresh flavors and
wholesome ingredients. This Italian-inspired macaroni salad is not only delicious but also good for you. It features
cheesy buffalo mozzarella, shredded chicken, and brown rice pasta, along with other nutritious elements. The pesto adds
a burst of flavor, and using whole wheat or brown rice pasta makes it a healthier choice.

Key Macaroni Salad Ingredients

This macaroni salad is easy to assemble. The key ingredients include buffalo mozzarella for its calcium and protein,
pesto for its amazing taste, grilled chicken for added protein, and brown rice pasta for its health benefits. It’s a
combination that will surely delight your taste buds.

Buffalo mozzarella gives a creamy and indulgent texture. The pesto adds a rich and aromatic flavor that takes the
salad to the next level. The chicken provides protein to keep you satisfied, and the brown rice pasta offers
fiber and other nutrients.

Nutrition Facts

One serving of this macaroni salad offers a good balance of nutrients. It has 324 calories, with 22.9 grams of
carbohydrates, 16 grams of fat, and 24 grams of protein. It also provides a significant amount of vitamins A, B3, K,
manganese, phosphorus, and selenium. It’s a relatively low-sodium option, making it a great choice for a balanced
meal.

Each serving is 229 grams and contains calories, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, fat, saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat,
monounsaturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, protein, sodium, vitamin A, vitamin B-3, vitamin K, manganese, phosphorus,
and selenium. It’s a nutritious and satisfying side or main dish.

How to Make a Macaroni Salad

Making this macaroni salad is a breeze. First, halve the cherry tomatoes and chop the buffalo mozzarella. Cook the
pasta and prepare the other ingredients. Then, combine everything in a bowl, add the pesto, Italian seasoning, capers,
mozzarella, and balsamic vinegar. Gently stir until everything is well mixed. You can serve it warm or chilled,
depending on your preference.

Adding the chicken at the end gives it a nice texture and flavor. This macaroni salad is versatile and can be
customized to your liking. You can add other vegetables or proteins if you desire.


Once everything is combined, enjoy this delicious and nutritious macaroni salad. It’s perfect for a summer picnic,
a weeknight dinner, or as a party side dish.

Other Recommended Pasta Dishes

  • Vegan Alfredo
  • Tuscan Pasta
  • Tuna Pasta Salad with Kalamata Olives
  • Zucchini Noodles with Marinara Sauce
  • Zucchini Lasagna

Macaroni Salad Recipe


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  • Author: Dr. Josh Axe
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

This macaroni salad is a healthy twist on a classic. It combines the goodness of brown rice pasta with
delicious ingredients to create a flavorful and nutritious dish. You’ll love it!


Ingredients

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  • 4 cups brown rice macaroni pasta, cooked
  • 2 cups chicken, shredded and cooked
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 package buffalo mozzarella pearls, chopped
  • ½ cup fresh chopped basil
  • ¼ cup pesto
  • ¼ cup capers or olives
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • sea salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

  1. Cook the brown rice macaroni according to the package instructions.
  2. Shred the chicken and cook it until done.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, cherry tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, basil, pesto, capers or
    olives, Italian seasoning, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
  4. Toss to mix well and season with salt and pepper.
  5. You can serve the macaroni salad at room temperature or chilled.

  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 10 min
  • Category: Main Dishes, Side Dishes
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (229 g)
  • Calories: 324
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 344 mg (23% DV)
  • Fat: 15.9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10.1 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22.9 g
  • Fiber: 2.8 g
  • Protein: 23.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 56 g

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