Updated Macaroni Salad

We were invited to a Memorial Day picnic on Monday and I wanted to take a simple side dish with us. I didn't want to go grocery shopping (since I had been gone for a week, the fridge was pretty bare) so I just looked for items that were still good. I knew I had macaroni and I had my "staple" fresh veggies in the fridge: onions, bell peppers and celery. I decided on Macaroni salad, an updated version that isn't loaded down with mayonnaise and hard boiled eggs.

Green and red peppers, garlic, onion, celery, fresh basil and mayo

Add 1/2 of the mayo to the macaroni noodles

Add in all of the raw ingredients

Add more mayo to taste and serve in a pretty bowl

Macaroni Salad

Serves 4

3 1/2 cups cooked macaroni

2/3 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup diced onion

1/3 cup diced celery

1 cup diced red and green bell peppers

2-3 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil or any fresh herbs on hand (cilantro, chives, thyme)

Mix half of the mayonnaise with the pasta in a large bowl. Add the chopped ingredients. Sprinkle with a dash of salt and pepper. Taste the mixture, add more mayo, as needed. I ended up using 1/2 cup, but this really comes down to personal preference. Enjoy!