Iowa recipes: Summer salad

My husband and I are trying to eat a little healthier, so I've been making big salads on the weekends when I have more time to cook.  One of my favorites is this summer pasta salad.  I found the recipe in one of my favorite church cookbooks.  I always make the mistake of adding too much pasta; I never take the time to actually measure the pasta out and just dump it in.  But I love how colorful this salad is. The recipe does make a large batch of salad, so it's perfect for summer picnics.  Enjoy!

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Summer Salad

• 2 (7 oz.) boxes macaroni rings (I used spiral noodles), cooked
• 2 C. cucumbers, diced
• 2 C. carrots, diced
• 1 C. celery, diced
• 1 C. onion, diced
• 1/2 green pepper, diced

Dressing for salad:

• 1/2 C. Miracle Whip
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1-1/2 C. sugar
• 1/2 C. vinegar

Cook and drain macaroni. Add vegetables and mix. Combine dressing ingredients, mixing well. Pour over vegetables and macaroni. Stir to coat. Cover and chill until time to serve.