Apple Mac Salad Recipe

A family favorite, this Apple Mac Salad recipe is a delightful twist on classic macaroni salad, perfect for Thanksgiving or any occasion! Grandma's (or maybe great-grandma's?!) recipe, this creamy, subtly sweet salad features tender pasta, crisp apples, and a touch of sweetness. It's the ultimate side dish to complement your Thanksgiving turkey, especially our Puerto Rican Apple BBQ Turkey! Get ready to impress your family with this easy-to-make, yet incredibly flavorful recipe.

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Calories 461 kcal
Protein 16g
Rating 4.0 (1 Reviews)
Apple Mac Salad 74

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Apple Mac Salad

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How to Make Apple Mac Salad

  1. Cook 1 pound elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
  2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the remaining ingredients. Roast 1 red bell pepper until the skin is blackened (you can do this in the oven at 400°F for about 20 minutes, or over an open flame). Place in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it steam for 10 minutes. Peel, seed, and finely chop the pepper. Dice 2 medium crisp apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith recommended).
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, chopped roasted red pepper, diced apples, mayonnaise (1 cup), celery (1 cup, finely chopped), onion (1/2 cup, finely chopped), sugar (2 tablespoons), salt (1 teaspoon), and black pepper (1/2 teaspoon).
  4. Gently toss to combine all ingredients evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. The salad might benefit from a squeeze of lemon juice to balance sweetness.
  5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow the flavors to meld. This step is crucial for the best taste and texture!
  6. Serve chilled. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

16 g

Sugar

136g

Fat

8g

Carbs

28g