This Low Calorie Macaroni Salad is just 119 calories for 2/3 cup, and it comes with low carb and high protein tips!
I used traditional macaroni to make this recipe, and so it reflects that in the nutrition. So just imagine if you were to swap it out for low calorie or protein pasta!
The potluck and backyard BBQ staple is creamy and delicious, with no mayo and 100% all-natural ingredients!
Low Calorie Macaroni Salad
What You’ll Find in this Article:
Ingredients in Healthy Macaroni Salad
If you like to add hard boiled eggs to your macaroni salad, see my directions in the recipe card below. I skipped them to keep calories extra low. But they can absolutely be added if you desire.
And be sure to see the low carb, low sodium and protein boost options below in the ingredients section.
Shopping List for Healthy Macaroni Salad:
- Elbow macaroni (see low carb option in recipe card below!)
- Sweet gherkins
- Red bell pepper
- Celery stalks
- Red onion
Macaroni Salad Dressing:
- 0% Greek yogurt
- Dijon mustard
- Sweet gherkin juice (from the jar)
- Red wine vinegar
- All-Natural Zero Calorie Sugar (see recipe card below!)
- Salt and pepper (see nutrition section below for low sodium tips)
- Garlic powder
How to Make Healthy Macaroni Salad
The hardest part in making this recipe, is waiting for it to chill. Make sure to leave yourself a few hours to chill the side dish. Or make it the night before so out can chill overnight.
How to Make Healthy Macaroni Salad:
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to the directions on the box, then drain and set aside to cool.
- Meanwhile, combine the ingredients for the dressing in a medium bowl and mix well. Add more water as needed to thin the dressing.
- In a large bowl combine the cooked macaroni, gherkins, bell pepper, celery, onion and the dressing.
- Toss well to combine, then cover and place in the fridge.
- Chill for 2 hours before serving.
Low Calorie Macaroni Salad Recipe
Perfect for potlucks and backyard BBQ’s, this healthy macaroni salad is as yummy as it is healthy. Here are more low calorie sides I think you’ll love.
More Low Calorie Side Dishes:
Low Calorie Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 5 sweet gherkins minced
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 2 celery stalks sliced
- ¼ red onion minced
Low Calorie Macaroni Salad Dressing:
- 1 cup 0% Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons sweet gherkin juice from the jar
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon All-Natural Zero Calorie Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to the directions on the box, then drain and set aside to cool.
- Meanwhile, combine the ingredients for the dressing in a medium bowl and mix well. Add more water as needed to thin the dressing.
- In a large bowl combine the cooked macaroni, gherkins, bell pepper, celery, onion and the dressing.
- Toss well to combine, then cover and place in the fridge.
- Chill for 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition and Calories in Macaroni Salad
Lower the Carbs: Swap out the traditional macaroni for protein pasta (I like Banza Protein Pasta)
Lower the Sodium: Remove the salt from the recipe and add in 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
Boost the Protein: Add in the 2 hard boiled eggs (see recipe card) and swap out the macaroni for protein pasta.
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