Description

Guy Fieri’s Macaroni Salad is a creamy, tangy, and crunchy classic side dish featuring tender elbow macaroni tossed in a zesty mayonnaise-based dressing enhanced with apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and sweet pickle relish. Fresh vegetables like shredded carrots, red bell pepper, celery, and parsley add vibrant color and texture to this easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing salad perfect for picnics, barbecues, and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale

Macaroni

1 lb elbow macaroni

Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Vegetables and Mix-ins

1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
1/4 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

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 thoroughly and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
Toss macaroni with dressing: Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing and toss well, ensuring every piece of pasta is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
Add vegetables and mix-ins: Gently fold in the sweet pickle relish, shredded carrots, finely chopped red bell pepper, celery, and fresh parsley. Mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the salad.
Chill and meld flavors: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap 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 salad a good stir and taste for seasoning, adjusting salt and pepper if necessary. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish.

Notes

For best results, prepare the salad a few hours ahead or the day before to enhance flavor meld.
You can substitute sweet pickle relish with chopped dill pickles for a tangier twist.
Feel free to add chopped hard-boiled eggs or cooked bacon bits for extra texture and flavor.
Use gluten-free pasta if a gluten-free version is desired.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days.

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

Keywords: macaroni salad, Guy Fieri, creamy pasta salad, summer side dish, picnic recipe, mayonnaise macaroni salad