Guy Fieri’s Rockin’ Macaroni Salad Recipe
Guy Fieri’s Rockin’ Macaroni Salad is a vibrant, flavorful twist on a classic picnic favorite. Loaded with colorful bell peppers, crunchy celery, tangy dill pickles, and sharp cheddar cheese, this creamy macaroni salad is dressed with a zesty blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Perfectly seasoned and chilled to meld the flavors, this dish makes a fantastic side for barbecues, potlucks, or any casual gathering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- 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 the pasta: Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool and stop the cooking process. This helps prevent the macaroni from becoming mushy.
- Prepare the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Whisk the ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and fully blended, forming a creamy dressing base.
- Add vegetables: To the dressing mixture, add the finely chopped red and green bell peppers, red onion, celery, and diced dill pickles. Stir everything together to evenly incorporate the fresh vegetables into the creamy base.
- Mix in the pasta: Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing and vegetables. Mix thoroughly to coat all the pasta evenly with the flavorful mixture.
- Incorporate cheese and seasonings: Gently fold in the shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Mix carefully to ensure all ingredients are well distributed without breaking up the macaroni.
- Season to taste: Add salt and pepper according to your preference, stirring well to blend the seasonings throughout the salad.
- Chill the salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 1 hour. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
- Serve: Before serving, give the macaroni salad a final stir to redistribute any settled ingredients. Serve chilled for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute the elbow macaroni with another short pasta shape like rotini or shells if preferred.
- For extra tang, add a splash more apple cider vinegar before chilling.
- To make this salad ahead of time, prepare it up to 24 hours in advance and keep refrigerated to enhance the flavor development.
- If you prefer a lighter version, reduce the mayonnaise and increase the sour cream proportion.
- This salad pairs perfectly with grilled meats and is great for picnics and potlucks.
Keywords: Guy Fieri, macaroni salad, picnic recipe, creamy pasta salad, summer side dish, elbow macaroni salad
Find it online: https://lucabites.com/guy-fieris-rockin-macaroni-salad-recipe/
