Description

Guy Fieri’s Rockin’ Macaroni Salad is a creamy, flavorful twist on the classic macaroni salad, packed with colorful bell peppers, pickles, and shredded cheddar cheese, all coated in a tangy mayonnaise and sour cream dressing. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or as a side dish to your favorite grill fare.

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

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
0.25 cups green onions, sliced

Cheese & Spices

0.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Cook the macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
Make the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Add the vegetables and pickles: Stir in the finely chopped red and green bell peppers, red onion, celery, and diced dill pickles into the dressing, evenly distributing all the ingredients.
Combine pasta and dressing: Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl and mix thoroughly until all the pasta is evenly coated with the dressing and vegetables.
Incorporate cheese and spices: Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, mixing gently to distribute the flavors without mashing the pasta.
Season to taste: Add salt and pepper according to your preference, adjusting the seasoning for balanced flavor.
Chill and blend flavors: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
Serve: Give the macaroni salad a final gentle stir before serving chilled as a flavorful side dish.

Notes

For best results, use freshly diced vegetables for a crisp texture.
Make the salad a few hours ahead to let flavors develop fully.
Feel free to add hard-boiled eggs or bacon bits for extra protein and texture.
This salad keeps well refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Adjust the vinegar and mustard amounts to taste for more tanginess.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Guy Fieri, macaroni salad, creamy pasta salad, picnic salad, summer side dish, elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, tangy dressing