Guy Fieri Macaroni Salad: An Easy and Creamy Classic Recipe
This is a classic Guy Fieri-style macaroni salad recipe that’s creamy, tangy, and packed with delightful textures from celery, onion, and optional hard-boiled eggs. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or as a flavorful side dish, this easy-to-make salad combines al dente elbow macaroni with a rich, tangy dressing featuring mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, apple cider vinegar, and yellow mustard. The recipe offers flexibility with optional additions and substitutions, making it a forgiving and crowd-pleasing dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes plus chilling time
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Core Macaroni Salad Components
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 cup mayonnaise (full-fat recommended)
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
- 1/4 cup chopped celery (finely chopped)
- 1/4 cup chopped yellow or white onion (finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Additions
- 2 to 3 hard-boiled eggs (chopped)
- Sprinkle of paprika for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Macaroni: Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring it to a rolling boil, then add the elbow macaroni. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, ensuring pasta is cooked but still slightly firm to the bite.
- Drain and Rinse: Drain the cooked macaroni in a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water. This stops the cooking process and prevents the pasta from sticking together. Let it drain well.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, chopped celery, chopped onion, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until fully integrated and creamy.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the drained macaroni to the dressing mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly to coat all the pasta with the dressing evenly.
- Add Optional Ingredients: If using, fold in the chopped hard-boiled eggs carefully to maintain their texture. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Chill and Garnish: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Just before serving, sprinkle paprika over the top for a pop of color and extra flavor.
Notes
- If you prefer less sweetness, substitute sweet pickle relish with finely chopped dill pickles; adjust sugar or add extra vinegar as needed.
- For a creamier salad, increase the mayonnaise by 1 to 2 tablespoons.
- Make sure to rinse the pasta well after cooking to prevent clumping.
- This salad can be made a day ahead; flavors deepen after resting.
- Add paprika as a garnish for color and mild smokiness.
Keywords: Guy Fieri Macaroni Salad, macaroni salad recipe, creamy macaroni salad, picnic side dish, easy salad, elbow macaroni salad
