A modern take on the classic to healthify your summer. Magically grain-free & gluten-free macaroni mixed with fresh summer veggies and a creamy vegan veggie based puree to kick the mayo to the side!
I am so excited to share this macaroni salad with you! After my success with my reinvention of the Italian pasta salad, I knew macaroni had to be done before season’s end. The only major problem I had was finding something to take the place of all that mayo and creaminess that is used. Macaroni salad was never my number 1 summer side dish. Sometimes I would find a perfect macaroni salad, other times they would just be too mayo-y and sweet. The pasta wouldn’t be cooked enough or it would be cooked to mush. Now with not having eaten macaroni salad in too many years to count, I was at a stand-still.
I needed it to not only be gluten-free, but soy, egg, and dairy-free as well. I wanted it to be healthy and homemade. So what to use for the creamy goodness associated with the mac salad? After some serious thinking, I walked down to my kitchen for some ideas. I didn’t want this sauce to be calorie dense, so my go-to “mayo” of tahini and some non-dairy milk was out. Then I though a veggie puree. But what veggie was unique enough, light enough, bendable enough, and colorless enough for a creamy white sauce?
Then it hit me! Sitting right there on the table, in the produce basket, next to some Japanese Sweet Potatoes (no, I didn’t use potato), was my recent food love, celeriac root! Ding, ding, ding, jackpot! This was it, this was the answer to all my food requirements. From that moment, I knew this macaroni salad was going to be a star, but my searching for the right ingredients was not over yet.
The pasta! Low and behold, I finally got my hands on a pasta I had wanted to try for awhile now. Banza! (Before I continue, no, this is NOT sponsored). The perfect macaroni for my “modern” macaroni salad. Banza is made with JUST chickpeas, that’s it! Which means this pasta is 100% grain-free! How cool and how “modern” 😉 I’d say it was the perfect fit for this reinvention of the mac salad. So I crossed my fingers and hoped it would taste and hold-up as good and it sounded.
Let me tell you right now, this pasta was a success! I was just as pleased with it as my other favorite pasta. The excitement and the glory of finding a good gluten-free pasta (which also happened to be grain-free). Creative small food companies like Banza, make my heart sing with joy. Feed us allergy-full foodies, feed us good food from the heart! My mission to not let this pasta down by putting it in a failure of a recipe was the next task at hand.
Modern Macaroni Salad
Modern Macaroni Salad
A modern take on the classic to healthify your summer. Magically grain-free & gluten-free macaroni mixed with fresh summer veggies and a creamy vegan veggie based puree to kick the mayo to the side!
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 8oz Box of Banza Macaroni (or favorite gluten-free macaroni)
- Sauce:
- 1 Medium Celeriac Root
- 2 TB Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk (or non-dairy milk)
- 1/4 Cup Reserved Pasta Water
- 1/2 Tsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 Tsp Pickle Juice
- 1/2 Tsp Minced Garlic
- 1/4 Tsp Black Pepper
- 1/4 Tsp Paprika
- Salad Add-Ins:
- 1 Cup Chopped Celery (about 2 stalks)
- 1 Cup Shredded Carrots
- 1/2 Cup Diced Red Onion
- 1/2 Cup Sliced Sweet Pimentos
- 1/4 Cup Chopped Fresh Parsley
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of water, peel and cube the celeriac in to big chunks, and boil for about 30 minutes, until the root is soft.
- In the mean time, cook the pasta according to directions, drain (reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water, rinse the pasta, and set aside to cool.
- Now, take your celeriac chunks, add them to a food processor, along with the other sauce ingredients. Blend until you get a smooth puree.
- Once the sauce and pasta are done, make sure your veggies are all prepped (I did this during the boiling of the celeriac), and first add the pasta, then veggies, and finally the sauce to the bowl.
- Mix everything together until fully coated and combined.
- Refrigerate before serving (at least an hour) and enjoy! This is a great make-ahead and leftovers dish too! Trust me, it hold up!
No failures here! I’m pretty sure I made this macaroni proud. This is one macaroni salad you can feel good about scooping seconds and thirds on to your plate! Veggie packed and full of plant-based bean protein. The king bean does it again! I enjoyed this macaroni salad much more than anything (that I remember) from the store. I’m telling you folks, making allergy-free and healthy recipes CAN taste delicious and even more so than the old classics; I promise!
So tell me:
+ Macaroni salad fan? Think this modern take will convert you if not? I’m pretty sure I used to put some ketchup on macaroni salad as well. I know 😛
+ Have you tried Banza?
*Recipe linking up for the week! Allergy Free Wednesdays, #RecipeOfTheWeek,#StrangeButGood, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Real Food Friday, Gluten-Free Fridays,Tasty Tuesdays, Savoring Saturdays, Healthy Vegan Fridays, Tasty Tuesdays, Meatless Mondays, Lena’s Tasty Tuesdays!*
Stay connected: Facebook: Strength and Sunshine Twitter: @RebeccaGF666 Instagram: rebeccagf666 Pinterest: RebeccaGF666 Bloglovin’: Strength and Sunshine Google+: Rebecca Pytell
Bethany says
Love Banza pasta in pasta salads. This looks great.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Holds up great!
Brianna @Flippin' Delicious says
I love how fresh this Modern Macaroni Salad is! It definitely is much more appealing than traditional macaroni salad. Also, I have to try that pasta. I’ve seen it, but haven’t tried it yet.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you! And totally buy some next time you see it! So worth it!
Raia says
I love that pasta! Great idea to use it for a salad. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Isn’t it awesome!
Pauline Molinari says
This looks absolutely delish! Thanks so much for sharing your yummy recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you!
kimmythevegan says
Chickpea noodles! YES!!! This salad looks so good. So potluck worthy. Yumtastic =)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, it is potluck-worthy!
skd says
This is looking delicious????
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you!
Deborah Davis says
I love the idea of using chickpea macaroni!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Kim~madeinaday says
What an amazing looking pasta salad! You’ve made me want to try the chickpea noodles! I am sharing your post today on my Recipes to try Board and FB page! Have a great week!
Best,
Kim
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks Kim!
Joann says
I will have to keep my eye out for this Banza pasta next time I am at store – and pinning your recipe as I have yet to make a macaroni salad this summer to accompany the bbq dinners we enjoy.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I hope you find it!! It’s so good and the perfect “macaroni” for macaroni salad 😉 Haha!
Honest mum says
Oh love the sound of this, we are mostly gluten-free here too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Well it’s grain-free as well 😉
Marla says
Hi Rebecca,
Sounds like a delicious, tasty recipe and I would really like to try the Banza pasta -sounds like a great grain free alternative.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you! Yes it is!
Elaine Hodges says
Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Sure!
Christine says
You found a good gluten free pasta???? I must try it! And I seem to remember several recipes in David Lebovitz’s book that use celeriac root. Need to try that, too. I always learn something new on your blog.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Don’t know who he is, but thank you!
Dini @ The Flavor Bender says
Looks delicious! I love macaroni Salad 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you! Now there’s even more reasons to love it!
Audrey @ Unconventional Baker says
Chickpea pasta — haha. When you said on facebook this pasta is gluten and grain-free I drew a blank for a second {it’s getting late over here 😉 }, but it all makes total sense now 🙂 This looks yummy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Secret bean magic 😉 Thanks so much Audrey!
casey says
1) I have never had chickpea pasta and am intrigued.
2) your photography is on point! Awesome job. You should do a post on your photo tips!
3) it wasn’t my intention to comment as a list, but I’m finding it hard to stop.
4) bye!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
You should!
Haha, thanks, but now! I know nothing about food photography!
Stephanie says
This looks amazing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Melissa @ vegan doesitm says
I was never a fan of macaroni salad. Too creamy and mushy. This modern version though, looks great. I love all the color and healthiness! And that pasta! Chickpeas!?! Just plain awesome ????
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
This one is NO MUSH! I promise! You will love it 😉
laura | dairyfreekids says
This looks divine! I am a huge pasta fan, and so are the boys. I am definitely going to put it on the list to try.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
This will change your pasta world!
Bethany says
I recently tried Banza pasta, as well, and I loved it. This salad looks great.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It rocks!
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins says
This pasta looks perfect for a summer meal in the garden. Delicious! x #recipeoftheweek
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, totally!
Dawn says
This looks really great – love your photos too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Miss Polkadot says
Now that’s a pasta salad I could get on board with! I don’t like the usual ones because even pre-vegan/lacto-vegetarian I thought mayonnaise was gross. Just thinking of the scent alone … no way!
And you know my take on celeriac yet I’d have never thought of using it as the main ingredient of a dressing – clever! If only chickpea pasta was sold [and at an acceptable price] around here …
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahaha, I think mayo is something people either love or hate!
Celeriac is like my best friend now, haha!
You’ll just have to use “normal” pasta :/
Thank you dear!
Kathy says
Thank you for sharing this fabulous Modern Macaroni Salad!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Shelby Simone says
This looks so good! This makes me want to go on a picnic!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahaha, right? 😉
Deanna @ The Live Fit Girls says
Yum! I’m so happy all these new healthier pastas are coming out! I just got a bag of black bean pasta and edamame pasta and I’m so excited to try it! I’ll have to keep my eyes open for chickpea next time!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! Bean pastas are rockin’ the world!
Yet Another Blogging Mummy says
I don’t have any diet restrictions, but this sounds interesting. Not sure whether I would like celeriac or not, as I hate celery apart from in soup #TastyTuesdays
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Celeriac only have a slight celery taste, nothing like an actual piece of celery. Give it a try!
Hannah says
I love that you used a veggie puree instead of mayo! I love creamy pasta salad, but I’m so creeped out by mayo – vegan or otherwise. Yum yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, same here Hannah! This one will knock you socks off though! XOXO
Jenn says
Celeriac root? Wow, I would have NEVER thought of that….mainly, because I’ve NEVER tried it. LOL! Very creative. I will definitely have to try this sometime. Looks so creamy and delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Jenn, you will love celeriac!!!
Kristy @ Southern In-Law says
Yum, yum YUM! This looks so good, girl!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, thank you Kristy!
Cynthia @craftoflaughter says
I can’t wait to try this recipe out!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I hope you do!
Farrah says
Ooo, macaroni made of chickpeas?! This is so awesome! 😀 I’m a fan of macaroni salad, but not so much on the mayo. I love this alternative! :]
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
The perfect dish for you Farrah! XOXO
Rosevine Cottage Girls says
This looks amazing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Ila@ilkasblog says
I heard so much about Banza. I need to order some, too. Great recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! You won’t be disappointed!
Jennifer Stewart says
I make a lot of gluten free pastas and I have never heard of this brand before. Usually I use heartland, mostly rice and corn, but I want to try this one! I love a macaroni salad and somethings you can’t fake with spaghetti squash!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
This one is much more nutritious than that refined pasta! Haha! You’ll love Banza!
Jennifer Stewart says
Can’t wait!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
For what?
ayudiahrespatih says
This maccaroni salad looks awsome… I must try this… Thanks Rebecca !
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I hope you do!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
That pasta looks awesome! My kids actually like gluten free pasta more than regular lately and like experimenting with different kinds, they think it’s fun 🙂 I’d love to try this one. Love the ACV in there too.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I know your kids will like this chickpea pasta for sure 😉 and Drew will like ketchup on it too….so good 😉
Sarah aka CocoandLentil says
A delectable alternative to the usual summer salads. Loving all the salad add-ins: great way to sneak some veggies in for the kids and of course macaroni always gets the thumbs up!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I’ve never heard of a macaroni salad without the veggies! Mine just has a lot more than the usual!
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige says
I’ve never used a chickpea pasta, but I sure like my regular mac and cheese!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I dare you to give Banza a try then! You can’t tell!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
ive never been a macaroni salad fan, but if this version were served at a bbq, I’d definitely be giving it a try! I have been wanting to try the Banza pasta too. Need to get some!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Get some Banza and make this then! I bet I can get you to love the “modern” take 😉
Harriet Emily says
This looks amazing! All of the flavours sound so delicious and I love macaroni salad! The chickpea macaroni sounds amazing too, I definitely need to try it!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
You do! It’s such a stellar pasta option!
Sarah says
Yum! I’m going to have to give this a try! My mom use to make huge batches of pasta salad in the summer growing up and my husband and I would live off it when we got married too but than I couldn’t eat it. We than use to do big jumbo batches of quinoa salad (with avocado not mayo) and did that for years but than one of the girls stopped eating it and I think I got a little bored and over did it. I was just thinking about making some the other day but I think we will have to give this a try.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I think this one will be an all around crowd pleaser! You will not be bored with this one! (But an avocado quinoa salad sounds really yummy to me right now!)
Lemonade Wise says
How on earth do they make pasta from chickpeas?!? I’m going to have to show this to a friend of mine who has recently been diagnosed with Chron’s (sp?) disease and now needs to eat gluten free.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Crohns 😉 It is one fabulous pasta! Just chickpea flour, water, and some xanthum gum I believe! Pretty stellar! The fact that it held up to this crazy salad still amazes me!
Kam Kay says
Oh my! This looks so delish. I just came online to look for some snack ideas, and I see this! Yummy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, a little more than a snack 😉
Megan @ Skinny Fitlaicious says
Now this is my kind of pasta salad. I can’t stand mayo so of course I’m in love with what you’ve done here!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, thanks Megan! Mayo is pretty gross…I just never understood what it WAS. Just like hot dogs…ew. One of those foods that just does not make sense 😛
Kalee @ The Crowded Table says
Your macaroni salad looks so fresh, I love all the different colors in it……………I think pretty things just taste better. 🙂 I’ve never heard of Banza, so now I’m going to go in search of it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, pretty things do taste good 😉 Pleasing to the eye and tummy!
Liz says
Yum! I love Banza 🙂 Love the idea of using a veggie sauce… I HATE mayo (it grosses me out) but this looks like a macaroni salad I’d actually love to eat!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, yea, mayo is nasty 😛
I think you’ll love it too 😉 XOXO
lauren says
This looks so yummy! Definitely trying this out!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I hope so! Thanks!
EA-The Spicy RD says
Such a creative and delicious looking recipe Rebecca! I’ve never been a big Macaroni Salad eater either {cole slaw or potato salad? yes, please!}, but this looks to good to pass up! And, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that Banza pasta too 🙂 Can’t wait to make this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I think you will love this one! But I’m with you when it comes to potato salad! O yes please!
Kat | curlsnchard.com says
This is a seriously modern macaroni salad! I love your take on it 🙂 And I think it’s awesome how inventive companies are with creating pasta alternatives <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I know, it’s so awesome to find these cool products! Ultra-modern and trendy 😉 Haha! Thanks dear!
Kat | curlsnchard.com says
When I think back to when I started to change my diet towards “healthy”, it was hard to even find whole-wheat pasta! And now, there are tons of different kinds 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Every day, the possibilities and options grow!
Linda @ Veganosity says
This reminds me of the pasta salad that my mom makes. It looks so good! I love that you used celeriac root, genius!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks Linda!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
Pasta made from CHICKPEAS?! SAY WHAT! I love macaroni salad so I need to find these noodles. This NEEDS to be my lunch TODAY.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahahaha, grocery run NOW!!! Thanks Taylor 😉
Ilona's Passion says
Wow! That’s interesting pasta made with chickpeas. I wonder how it taste. Looks delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It tastes like pasta, haha!
kenzie negron says
this looks delicious! xx, kenz
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Rachel @ Athletic Avocado says
I love macaroni salad but I haven’t had it in forever! This would be good with a little salad for lunch or a veggie burger for dinner 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Totally 😉 Now you must make it!
Lisa @ RunWiki says
A mayo free mac salad? Oh Lordie, I need this in my belly right now. This isn’t fluff… my mouth is watering!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahahaha, MUST make it this week! I know you’ll love it, Lisa!
Ali from Home & Plate says
Now this is a recipe for Macaroni Salad without the guilt. Love that I can serve this to my GF friends and also those that wouldn’t know the difference. Looks delish!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
No one will know 😉 Thanks Ali!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
That pasta salad looks perfect Rebecca! I’ve had lentil and black bean pastas and liked them both, I’ll have to be on the lookout for this chickpea one!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Well then I’m sure you’ll love this one too! Bean pastas rock!
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
That sauce is awesome!!!!!! As soon as you said veggie puree I was thinking of something that started with a C, but celeriac root was not it 😉 So creative! And with the mustard and pickle juice tang it sounds amazing! And macaroni elbows are my favorite pasta shape, so I just love everything going on here <3 You are a pasta salad pro this summer! xoxo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Maybe I should have made a banana sauce 😛 Ew no….that’s gag worthy! Hahahahaha!
You know what my favorite pasta shape is and one that I have never seen a GF version of, orecchiette!
Thank you so much Natalie! XOXOXOXOXO
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
I’ve never had that pasta shape, but they’re named after ears and that is awesome! Kinda remind me of the shape of a dried apricot 😀 haha
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I just think they are so pretty 😉 Maybe I have an ear fetish 😛
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
Bahahahaha 😀
Jessica H. says
I love that this is not only a modern take on classic macaroni salad, but healthier, too! Can’t wait to try this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
The ultimate healthy redux!
Debbie says
I really can’t wait to try this salad. I hated macaroni salad when I was a kid, but have come to love it as an adult. I’m happy you’ve created a healthier version.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I hope you do!!! The ultimate healthy and delish recipe, I promise 😉
Christie says
What a great idea to use celeraic for the sauce. I really love this recipe.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you! Celeriac always comes in handy 😉
Annmarie says
This looks fantastic! Definitely have to give it a try! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you Annmarie!
Marye says
Macaroni salad is one of my favorite summer time classics, this sounds like a delicious variation!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you so much Marye!
Kayla @ Blondes Have More Run says
That looks insanely good! Oh how I miss pasta salad! I’ve heard of that new chickpea pasta! I’m going to have to buy some this week 🙂 Thanks for the recipe..I might have to try it for my Labor Day picnic!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I really hope you do! You will love it!
Chelsie says
This looks so so yummy! My husband is supposed to be gluten free (but it’s hard to get him to do it) but if I make him things like this, I know it’ll be easier! Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I’m sure he will love this!
Coco says
Fun recipe! I’ll have to look for that pasta.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It’s pretty cool!