Description

Marry Me Macaroni Pasta Salad is a delightful mix of flavors with tender macaroni, juicy rotisserie chicken, and a creamy dressing that’s sure to impress. Perfect for a quick dinner or a flavorful side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

12 ounces elbow macaroni
½ cup (110 g) mayonnaise
½ cup (115 g) sour cream
3 tablespoons whole milk
2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato oil, (from the jar)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 teaspoons garlic, (minced)
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 cups rotisserie chicken, (shredded)
1 cup (110 g) sun-dried tomatoes, (packed in oil (reserve 2 tablespoons of the oil for the dressing), chopped)
1 cup (149 g) cherry tomatoes, (halved)
2 cups (60 g) fresh baby spinach, (roughly chopped)
1 cup (113 g) mozzarella pearls
½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, (grated)

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Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente according to package directions.
Drain and rinse macaroni under cold water to cool. Set aside.
Prepare the dressing by whisking together mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, sun-dried tomato oil, balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, garlic, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper until smooth in a medium bowl.
In a large bowl, combine the cooled macaroni, shredded chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, halved cherry tomatoes, roughly chopped spinach, mozzarella pearls, and grated Parmesan cheese.
Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to develop.
Stir before serving and add salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

For added flavor, let the pasta salad sit in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
Feel free to customize with additional veggies like bell peppers or cucumbers.
This pasta salad can be made a day ahead, making it a convenient option for gatherings.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of the salad
Calories: 530
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 33g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 36g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 55mg