You work hard, now it’s time to play hard! Get the gang together and fire up the grill… it’s time for the ultimate day off ever. You deserve it! Amongst your hot dogs and burgers, you need some hardworkin’ sides to support them like Labor Day Macaroni Salad. You can count on this creamy, tangy, veggie-filled dish to show up and exceed expectations every single time. There’s no slacking here! Well, except for you… you deserve to spend the day only chillin’, grillin’, and enjoying the thrillin’! The hard work can wait ’til tomorrow, so clock out and kick back with some Labor Day Macaroni Salad on your plate!
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound elbow macaroni
- extra-virgin olive oil, to taste
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- kosher salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 plum tomatoes, ripe, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 stalks celery, halved lengthwise and sliced
- 1 medium carrot, grated
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted, halved lengthwise and sliced
Directions
Step 1 –In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the macaroni to al dente, according to the package directions.
Step 2 –Drain the water and immediately rinse the pasta with cold water.
Step 3 –Drain the pasta again and pour it into a large bowl.
Step 4 –Drizzle the pasta with the oil to prevent it from sticking.
Step 5 –While the pasta is cooking, in a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, the lemon juice, and the granulated sugar together until the mixture is emulsified.
Step 6 –Season the mayonnaise mixture with the salt and the pepper.
Step 7 –Add the tomatoes, the celery, the carrot, and the olives to the pasta.
Step 8 –Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until well-combined, about 1 minute.
Step 9 –Serve.
