Guy Fieri’s Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe
Guy Fieri’s Macaroni Salad is a creamy, tangy, and flavorful side dish that combines tender macaroni pasta with a rich mayonnaise-based dressing and a colorful mix of fresh vegetables and seasoning. This classic American picnic staple is perfect for barbecues, potlucks, and family gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 23 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup diced dill pickles or sweet pickles
Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and stop the cooking process.
- Prepare the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, sugar, garlic powder, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Combine pasta and vegetables: Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing. Stir in the chopped celery, red bell pepper, red onion, and pickles. Mix gently to evenly coat all ingredients with the dressing.
- Chill the salad: Cover the macaroni salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
- Serve and garnish: Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve cold as a side dish.
Notes
- For best texture, rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Adjust the amount of mayonnaise and vinegar according to your taste preference for creaminess and tanginess.
- You can substitute yellow mustard with Dijon mustard for a spicier flavor.
- Add hard-boiled eggs or diced ham for a more hearty macaroni salad.
- Make the salad a day ahead for even better flavor integration.
Keywords: macaroni salad, macaroni pasta salad, picnic salad, creamy pasta salad, Guy Fieri recipe, American side dish
