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  • February 17, 2019

Low Fat Macaroni Salad (Healthy, Low Calorie)

June 20, 2013 20 Comments

Enjoy a good, old-fashioned macaroni salad without all the fat and calories. This Low Fat Macaroni Salad is perfect for a BBQ or potluck.

Pin Macaroni Salad here.

This is the best macaroni salad, I've had! Low Fat Macaroni Salad - Old fashioned, Low Calorie, Healthy, perfect for a picnic

What Low Fat Macaroni Salad?  That is it?  No, twist or fusion of spices; No fancy dressing or special ingredients?  Nope!  I have tried and tried for years to make a delicious old-fashioned macaroni salad, just a straight, old macaroni salad.  Ok, so I used farfalle instead of macaroni but that is because I could not find Barilla Plus elbow macaroni. Barilla Plus is our favorite pasta so I went with the pretty bow ties, farfalle.  I actually thought they did not make an elbow shape but they do!  My supermarket better get some for me.

Fancying up my macaroni salad never actually entered my mind until my husband mentioned he was surprised it was “just” macaroni salad.  “Just”!? There is nothing “just” about this salad.  It is perfect!  It doesn’t need any fancy vegetables or spices.  I didn’t need to put an Indian twist to it with curry or cook up some turkey bacon.  I did ponder for about 30 seconds on the turkey bacon but the fact is, this salad doesn’t need it.  The dressing is perfectly balanced and with all the fresh veggies has a divine crunch.  It is the macaroni salad of yesteryear made healthy.  Each bite makes me want to do a happy dance.

This is the best macaroni salad, I've had! Low Fat Macaroni Salad - Old fashioned, Low Calorie, Healthy, perfect for a picnic

Macaroni salad brings me back to my childhood with such sweet memories.  I guess that is why it was important for me not to mess with it.  My absolute favorite childhood memories are of two summers when we lived in New Jersey when I was 12 – 13 years old.  We had just moved back from living in England for 5 years.  Almost every weekend we went to my grandparents house.  My Mom is one of 6 kids and everyone would get together along with their kids.  We would have a barbecue and swim in the pool.  I think about hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon and the best ever tomatoes and kielbasi.  I also think about macaroni salad.  We moved to Ohio after that so the weekend family parties stopped for us.  I absolutely adored those weekends and they will forever live in my memory as such happy, loving times.

Last year we went up to New Jersey to visit both of my grandparents.  I am lucky to have my Dad’s Mom, Gramma, still alive and both of my Mom’s parents, Mama and Papa.  While we were there, my little one got to play with my cousin’s kids.  I can never keep straight what that makes them.  We just tell them all they are cousins (are they 2nd cousins, cousins once removed??).  It was so cute how well she just clicked with them.  They ran around laughing and playing, reminding me of when I would do that with my cousins.  It was so nice for her to have some of her own family memories.  Hopefully we will have the chance to make more family memories for her.

In the meantime, we have my not so fancy, low-fat macaroni salad.

This is the best macaroni salad, I've had! Low Fat Macaroni Salad - Old fashioned, Low Calorie, Healthy, perfect for a picnic

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Low Fat Macaroni Salad 2444 ok text

Low Fat Macaroni Salad

Print
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings 10 servings
Calories 122 kcal
Author Christie Daruwalla

Ingredients

  • 8 oz whole wheat Pasta
  • 6 tbsp light sour cream
  • 5 tbsp fat-free Greek yogurt
  • 4 tbsp light mayonnaise
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 cup sliced green onion
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1/2 cup diced cubanelle pepper or green pepper
  • 1/2 cup diced carrots

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to manufacturer's instructions. Drain and allow to cool.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together sour cream, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, salt and pepper.
  3. Add pasta and rest of the ingredients. Toss to combine fully.
  4. Serve immediately.
  5. If you are not serving immediately, cover with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator. The pasta may absorb a lot of the sauce. You can add a splash of milk to make it creamy again.

Recipe Notes

I calculated 4  Weight Watcher Smartpoints.

Nutrition Facts
Low Fat Macaroni Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 122 Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Total Carbohydrates 18g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Sugars 2g
Protein 6g 12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Happy Healthy Eating,

Christie

But wait, there’s more!Check out these other deliciously, healthy salads:

 

German Potato Salad with Cucumber and Dill www.fooddonelight.comGerman Potato Salad with Cucumber and Dill

Roasted Potato Salad with Cilantro Pesto

 Roasted Potato Salad with Cilantro Pesto

Blackberry Quinoa Salad www.fooddonelight.com #quinoarecipes #quinoasalad #blackberryrecipeBlackberry Quinoa Salad

Filed Under: Holidays, July 4th, Recipes, Salad

Comments

  1. Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies says

    June 20, 2013 at 9:26 am

    Things don't always have to be complicated! I think most Americans grew up with a salad just like this and it's great to have a low fat version you can feel good about eating :) Sounds great!
    Reply
    • Christie Daruwalla says

      June 20, 2013 at 2:48 pm

      Thanks Kelly. Sometimes it is fun just to relive your childhood
      Reply
  2. Melissa @ My Recent Favorite books says

    June 20, 2013 at 11:02 am

    Sounds yummy! I love Salad recipes like this! =)
    Reply
    • Christie Daruwalla says

      June 20, 2013 at 2:50 pm

      Thanks Melissa. It is a delicious and easy.
      Reply
  3. Christy says

    February 3, 2014 at 10:20 am

    I made this, added some grilled chicken strips, presto, it's a meal! It was soo good!! Thanks!
    Reply
    • Christie Daruwalla says

      February 3, 2014 at 11:51 am

      That's awesome. So glad you liked it. I love that you made it into a meal.
      Reply
  4. Jodi says

    April 9, 2014 at 1:13 pm

    I don't like peppers or onions....Any other ideas?
    Reply
    • Christie Daruwalla says

      April 11, 2014 at 8:00 pm

      Hi Jodi, I would just omit the onions. If you want to add more veggies instead, maybe some finely diced broccoli.
      Reply
  5. Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says

    May 23, 2014 at 8:48 am

    When something is tasty, it doesn't NEED a gimmick! "Just" macaroni salad is perfect! I love that you lightened it and I'll definitely be taking it to a party or two this weekend!
    Reply
    • Christie Daruwalla says

      May 23, 2014 at 7:12 pm

      Hi Kim, Hope you enjoy it. It is definitely the macaroni salad I remember from my childhood minus a lot of fat and calories.
      Reply
  6. nancyabc says

    June 22, 2014 at 7:03 pm

    Thank you for adding protein and serving size to the recipe. I did enjoy the recipe and my friends didn't even know it was a light one. But I highly recommended to them that they should try out your blog for this and other recipes you have.
    Reply
    • Christie Daruwalla says

      June 22, 2014 at 8:10 pm

      I am so glad they enjoyed it Nancy and thank you for recommending Food Done Light. I greatly appreciate it.
      Reply
  7. Zulma says

    March 11, 2015 at 1:22 am

    So yummy
    Reply
    • Christie Daruwalla says

      March 12, 2015 at 8:55 pm

      Thanks Zulma
      Reply

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