This is the best healthy macaroni salad recipe. In fact, my whole family loves it and you would never know that its also gluten free.
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Homemade Macaroni Salad Recipe
What You Will Need (Full Printable Recipe Available Below)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup lentil pasta (measured dry)
- 1 carrot (peeled & sliced)
- 1/2 vidalia onion (choppeded)
- 1 celery stalk (sliced)
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 2 Tbsp dijon mustard
Getting Personal
Along with eating clean and trying to keep my family eating healthy I also see a nutritionist. To make a long story short he runs a full blood panel and can see where my body is lacking things or has an abundance etc. Then we take this info and use food as a sort of medicine to address any issues. For example, my thyroid is a mess, my glutamine is extremely low, and my hormones are a mess. To keep it simple, my current diet now includes more cashews and less almonds. More pork, and less chicken. No wheat, gluten, dairy, soy or refined sugars.
Clean Eating Basic
Continuing on, and rewinding at the same time – I mention that this is a clean eating recipe because I am all about eating healthy and clean eating. If you are new to a clean eating way of life then you need to check out Everything You Need to Know about a Clean Eating Diet. You can also see how I lost 50 lbs and am keeping it off by following a clean eating diet here: How I Lost 50 Lbs Clean Eating. I tend to try different things and mix different flavors to keep meals healthy and tasty.
How to Make Gluten Free Macaroni Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
Let’s gather our macaroni salad ingredients. This easy macaroni salad recipe is packed with vegetables making it both healthy and delicious.
Im sure many have heard of chickpea pasta but I actually prefer lentil pasta for this healthy macaroni salad. This is the lentil pasta that I love and order online here: lentil pasta. When comparing the two, lentil pasta has the same amount of fiber and more protein than chickpea pasta. Yay! This is a fantastic alternative to those looking to avoid gluten and wheat products.
Prep
To prep your vegetables for your homemade macaroni salad, use a vegetable peeler and peel the skin from the carrot. Next, go ahead and cut and dice your carrot, celery, onion and bell pepper.
Cook your lentil pasta according the directions on the box. Then drain and rinse in cool water. I like to rinse in cool to speed up the process of lowering the temperature of the macaroni pasta.
Combine
Once you drain and rinse your lentil macaroni go ahead and place it in a medium to large seize bowl.
Next, add the carrots, celery, bell pepper, and onion for your healthy macaroni salad.
Since we are making this cold macaroni salad with mayo go ahead and add the mayo and dijon mustard to the bowl.
Grab a spoon and gently mix your healthy macaroni salad with veggies together until well combined.
Healthy Macaroni Salad Recipe
Enjoy right away or pop in the fridge and serve later in the day. This easy macaroni salad recipe makes a great side dish to your BBQ or summer meals. My husband even said “wow, that’s really good” – just don’t tell him that its gluten free. 😉 This homemade macaroni salad is also a great way to sneak those vegetables into your family.
What to Eat with Healthy Macaroni Salad
Need ideas as to what to eat with your healthy macaroni salad? Since this had become a family favorite and I find myself making it often we serve it with grilled pork chops.
We also eat our macaroni pasta salad with grilled burgers, portabella mushroom caps and a little guacamole.
Looking for more recipes using gluten free pasta? Check these out: Gluten Free Pasta Recipes.
Printable Recipe

The Best Healthy Gluten Free Macaroni Salad Recipe
The best healthy macaroni salad recipe packed with vegetables and made with lentil pasta. This simple macaroni salad is delicious and healthy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup lentil pasta (measured dry)
- 1 carrot (peeled & sliced)
- 1/2 vidalia onion (choppeded)
- 1 celery stalk (sliced)
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 2 Tbsp dijon mustard
Instructions
- cook the lentil pasta accordig to the box instructions
- while pasta is cooking, cut and dice carrot, celery, red peper and onion
- when pasta is finished cooking, drain and rinse in cool water
- place pasta in bowl and add diced vegetables
- add mayo and dijon mustard
- mix to combine
- enjoy or place in fridge for later
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Chosen Foods Classic Avocado Oil Mayo 12 oz., Non-GMO, 100% Pure, Unsweetened, Cage Free Eggs, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free for Sandwiches, Dressings and Sauces
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SUKRAGRAHA Fine Mesh Food Quinoa Tea Spaghetti Strainer Skimmer Sifter
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Tolerant Organic Gluten Free Green Lentil Elbow Pasta, 8 Ounce Box (Case of 6), Plant Based Protein, Vegan Pasta, Single Ingredient Protein Pasta, Whole Food, Clean Pasta, Low Glycemic Index Pasta
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 148Total Fat: 8.1gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 30.1mgSodium: 233mgCarbohydrates: 13.8gFiber: 2.4gSugar: 1.2gProtein: 5.3g
nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on products/ingredients used.
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