Kid-Approved Macaroni Italian Salad
This pasta salad is a hit every time. The kids devour it without question and are always disappointed when the bowl is empty. It packs up perfectly for lunches the night before in reusable containers and has plenty of nutrition so that you don’t have to add too many other items to their lunch boxes.
Kid-Approved Macaroni Italian Salad
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 345kcal
Ingredients
- 12 ounces gluten-free macaroni noodles
- 8 thin bacon slices
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup whole milk
- 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- 10 ounces grape tomatoes halved lengthwise
- 1 cup diced chicken from pre-cooked rotisserie chicken
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese cut into small cubes
- 3 medium scallions thinly sliced
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 20 whole large basil leaves finely chopped (or more if desired)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse in cold water until cool. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet until slightly crisp. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to cool, then chop.
- For the dressing, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, apple cider vinegar, salt, and sugar in a small bowl. Pour the dressing over the pasta and add the cooked bacon, tomatoes, diced chicken, cheese, scallions, and pepper. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if needed. Gently mix in the basil. Serve at room temperature or cover, refrigerate in an airtight container, and serve cold.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Kid-Approved Macaroni Italian Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 345
Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 7g35%
Cholesterol 44mg15%
Sodium 488mg20%
Potassium 176mg5%
Carbohydrates 35g12%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 14g28%
Vitamin A 730IU15%
Vitamin C 6.1mg7%
Calcium 232mg23%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Disclaimer: All nutrition facts on Gluten Free & More are meant only as a guide and may differ depending on product brands used or ingredient substitutions. Some errors may occur, so you are encouraged to confirm the recipe’s ingredient and nutrition suitability for your own diet.
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