Guy Fieri’s Rockin’ Macaroni Salad Recipe
Guy Fieri’s Rockin’ Macaroni Salad is a creamy, tangy, and flavorful twist on a classic picnic favorite. Featuring tender elbow macaroni blended with a zesty mix of mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar, combined with crisp bell peppers, onions, celery, and dill pickles, this salad is enhanced with shredded cheddar cheese and smoky paprika for a bold finish. Perfect chilled, it’s ideal for barbecues, potlucks, or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 3 cups elbow macaroni
Dressing
- 0.5 cups mayonnaise
- 0.5 cups sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Vegetables and Mix-ins
- 0.5 cups red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 0.5 cups green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 0.5 cups red onion, finely chopped
- 0.5 cups celery, diced
- 0.25 cups dill pickles, diced
- 0.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.25 cups green onions, sliced
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Macaroni: Boil the elbow macaroni in salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well, then rinse under cold water to cool the pasta and stop the cooking process.
- Prepare Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Add Vegetables: Stir the finely chopped red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, celery, and diced dill pickles into the dressing, ensuring all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Combine Macaroni and Dressing: Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl and mix thoroughly so that every noodle is coated with the dressing and vegetable mixture.
- Incorporate Cheese and Seasonings: Gently fold in shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, mixing just enough to distribute them evenly without crushing the ingredients.
- Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper according to your preference, tasting and adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or an airtight lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld and develop.
- Final Stir and Serve: Before serving, give the macaroni salad a final stir to recombine any settled ingredients, then serve chilled.
Notes
- For best flavor, prepare the salad a few hours ahead to let ingredients meld.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for a more pronounced cheesy flavor.
- Add a dash of smoked paprika for a subtle smoky kick that enhances the salad’s depth.
- Make sure to rinse the cooked pasta with cold water to stop cooking and keep the noodles firm.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within 3 days for optimal freshness.
Keywords: Guy Fieri, macaroni salad, creamy macaroni salad, picnic salad, potluck dish, cheddar cheese, bell peppers, smoky paprika
Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/guy-fieris-rockin-macaroni-salad-recipe/
