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Macaroni Salad
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Lunch
Vegetarian
197 kcal
45 min

Macaroni Salad

Oct 2, 2026

Macaroni Salad: a USDA child-care recipe for preschool menu planning. Original yield: 6 servings.

Preschool
Fat
3 g
Fat
Carbs
40 g
Carbs
Sugar
12 g
Sugar
Sodium
261 mg
Sodium
Protein
6 g
Protein
Calories
197 kcal
Calories
instructions
Instructions
Total time
45 min
Step 1

Heat water to a rolling boil.

Step 2

Slowly add macaroni. Stir constantly until water boils again. Cook about 10-12 minutes or until al dente (firm to taste). Stir occasionally. DO NOT OVERCOOK. Drain well. Set aside for step 4.

Step 3

Dressing: Combine mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and mustard in a small bowl. Stir well. Set aside for step 5.

Step 4

Combine macaroni, bell peppers, pimientos, carrots, celery, onions, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Stir well.

Step 5

Pour the prepared dressing over vegetable and pasta mixture. Stir well.

Step 6

Transfer macaroni salad to a large salad bowl.

Step 7

Critical Control Point: Cool to 40 °F or lower within 4 hours.

Step 8

Critical Control Point: Hold at 40 °F or below.

Step 9

Keep the salad refrigerated or store at a cool temperature of 40 °F or lower until ready to serve.

Step 10

Garnish with paprika.

Step 11

Serve ¾ cup (portion with ½ cup and ¼ cup measuring cups or portion with 6 oz spoodle).

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Ingredients (6 servings)

Ingredients (original recipe yield)
Water
2 cups
Whole-grain elbow macaroni
7 oz or 1½ cups
Low-fat mayonnaise
3 oz or ½ cup
White vinegar
½ oz or 1 Tbsp
Sugar
2 oz or ¼ cup
Mustard
½ oz or 1 Tbsp
Fresh red bell peppers, diced
2 oz or ⅓ cup
Fresh green bell peppers, diced
2 oz or ⅓ cup
Canned pimientos, diced, drained
1 Tbsp
Fresh carrots, finely diced
2½ oz or ½ cup
Fresh celery, diced
2 oz or ½ cup
Fresh red onions, diced
1½ oz or ⅓ cup
Salt
¼ tsp
Ground black or white pepper
¼ tsp
Paprika
¼ tsp
Allergy information
Potential allergens to check: Egg, Wheat, Mustard. Ingredient-based screening, not a certified allergen analysis. Check every packaged ingredient, substitution and cross-contact risk against the child's allergy plan.