Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe (Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free)

Learn how to make classic macaroni salad with an allergy-friendly twist. Only seven ingredients in this dairy-free macaroni salad recipe! Sweetened with apples and kept tart with pickles, this macaroni salad recipe is simple, creamy, and the perfect addition to any summertime barbeque.

Don’t want to read? JUMP to the recipe!

Have you ever thought about what you associate with seasons? By the time summer rolls around here in Canada, all I can think about is watermelon (like these slushies), dirty little footprints (from playing out in the grass!), and barbeque side dishes.

The downside of summertime for myself is that I’m dairy and gluten-free now (read more about my tips to go dairy-free!).

This means that classic recipes like macaroni salad have needed to be adapted in order for me to have ANYTHING to eat at gatherings. 

This dairy-free macaroni salad recipe has been brought to many get-together and its biggest perk is that even people who eat a traditional diet love it!

• the salad comes together in minimal time (under thirty minutes before chilling)
• can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days
• all the classic flavors of pickles and apples
• gluten-free noodles that don’t stick together

Choosing Healthy Mayonnaise

Most mayonnaises don’t typically contain dairy. They do, however, contain canola oil which is inflammatory to our bodies and cannot be broken down.

While this mayonnaise uses a refined version of avocado oil, I still feel comfortable using it.

You can grab this mayonnaise off of amazon but the perk.. Costco actually carries it too! And while it’s not something I use often, I can’t deny how happy I am that with the new health food Costco craze.

Gluten-Free Noodles

Another wickedly awesome Costco find these gluten-free noodles are quinoa-based! This means that not only are they perfect for anyone who is celiac but they also have a bit of protein in them!

You can easily use any noodles you wish but the quinoa ones are ideal to me:

• They taste great and like “normal noodles”
• The quinoa doesn’t get all mushy
• These noodles provide a protein source to the pasta salad
• Quinoa noodles don’t stick together like many other gluten-free brands (rice and chickpea)

Why Pickles?

It wasn’t until my twenties that I realized many people do not put pickles in a pasta salad. But my mom always did.

And so this dairy-free macaroni salad recipe has pickles. This makes it slightly addictive, refreshing, and a great pair with a burger 😉

How Do You Make Dairy-Free Macaroni Salad From Scratch?

Making pasta salad from scratch is really quite simple. And this recipe only calls for seven ingredients that you probably already have.

It’s a combination of gluten-free noodles, crunchy vegetables, apples for sweetness, and topped in a healthy mayonnaise.

Mix it all together and toss it in the fridge to chill and let all the flavors infuse. It’s that simple!

How Do You Keep The Noodles From Absorbing The Mayonnaise And Separating?

If you have the time, chill your ingredients (everything except the dressing) in the fridge prior to mixing with the mayonnaise.

This makes it so that the noodles don’t absorb the mayonnaise as much. Thus, your salad will end up creamier.

While this isn’t necessary, it does make a tastier salad. However, mixing all at once and then chilling still works when you’re in a time pinch.

A Healthy Pasta Salad Recipe For Everyone

This dairy-free macaroni salad recipe is beautifully allergy-friendly. It’s easy to make, requires a bit of chilling in the fridge and I’m happy to say that even normal people (like my hubby who has the exact opposite nutritional habits as me) loved it and went back for seconds.

Bring this healthy salad to a party and take a breath knowing there will at least be something that you can eat (if you’re dairy-free that is). Or, bring it to a party to take pity on someone you know who has allergies.

Or hoard it all to yourself if you’re so inclined. I don’t care – though warning, it makes like nine cups which is kind of a lot to eat yourself. I ate about five of the cups and most definitely didn’t want pasta salad for the rest of the summer.

You’ve been warned.

This macaroni pasta salad is perfect for:

• Gatherings (baby showers, bridal showers etc)
• Barbeque parties
• A side dish for dinner

Ingredients

• 3 cups quinoa pasta
• 4 stalks celery diced
• 1 apple, diced,
• 6 pickles sliced in half and diced
• 1 red pepper diced
• ½ cup + 2tbs avocado oil, dairy-free mayo
• 3 tablespoons spicy brown mustard

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Classic Macaroni Salad (dairy and gluten-free)

A summertime staple this dairy-free macaroni salad is delicious and uses real food ingredients, along with plant-based protein noodles to keep you fueled.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 0 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes

Servings 9 cups

Calories 258 kcal

Author Fit as a Mama Bear

Ingredients

• 3 cups quinoa pasta
• 4 stalks celery diced
• 1 apple diced,
• 6 pickles sliced in half and diced
• 1 red pepper diced
• ½ cup avocado oil dairy free mayo
• 2 tbs avocado oil
• 3 tablespoons spicy brown mustard

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to directions. Drain, rinse and cool in the fridge.
   
2. Add in all the diced veggies and mix.
   
3. Whisk together the mayo and mustard and mix into the pasta.
4. Mix very, very well until everything is combined.
   
5. Let set in the fridge overnight or at least 6 hours,

Recipe Notes

• If you have time, mix all the ingredients for the macaroni salad except the dressing and chill briefly (30 minutes to one hour) in the fridge. Add in the dressing afterward and return to the fridge. This makes for a creamier pasta salad as the mayonnaise does not absorb the dressing as much.
• Store in the fridge in an airtight container. It should last 4-5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Classic Macaroni Salad (dairy and gluten-free)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 258 Calories from Fat 144

% Daily Value*

Fat 16g25%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Sodium 438mg19%

Potassium 101mg3%

Carbohydrates 28g9%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 512IU10%

Vitamin C 18mg22%

Calcium 22mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Pasta salad is a summertime staple but it’s a bit of a cry-worthy situation if you have a dairy allergy. This macaroni salad recipe removes all the major allergen worries though.

It’s gluten-free, dairy-free delicious and the bit of pickle gives it a great (but addictive) tangy-ness. Thus, make a huge batch and even your “I love dairy” friends will be impressed with this one!