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The BEST Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe (Inspired by Guy Fieri's "Mac-Daddi-Roni"!)

A creamy, tangy macaroni salad with fresh veggies and cheese, inspired by Guy Fieri. It's easy, fast, and perfect for gatherings, tasting like classic comfort food with extra flavor.
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Prep Time 30 minutes

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large bowl

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb Elbow macaroni The classic choice!
  • 1.5 cup Mayonnaise Use your favorite good quality mayo
  • 0.5 cup Sour cream
  • 0.25 cup Apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup Celery, chopped
  • 1 cup Red bell pepper, chopped
  • 0.5 cup Green onions, sliced
  • 1 cup Peas, frozen
  • 1 cup Sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Onion powder
  • 1 tsp Sugar
  • Salt To taste
  • Pepper To taste
  • Milk Optional, for loosening salad if needed

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions, but aim for al dente. Drain well in a colander. Rinsing under cool water helps stop the cooking and cools it down faster. Let it drain thoroughly.
  • While the pasta is draining and cooling, grab a large bowl. In this bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard until smooth. Whisk in the garlic powder, onion powder, and sugar. Season generously with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  • Chop celery and red bell pepper into bite-sized pieces. Slice green onions. Grate sharp cheddar cheese. Have everything ready.
  • Add the cooled, drained macaroni to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to coat. Add the chopped celery, red bell pepper, sliced green onions, frozen peas, and grated cheddar cheese. Gently fold everything together until evenly distributed and coated.
  • Cover the bowl tightly or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours to allow flavors to meld. Longer chilling is better.
  • Give the salad a final stir before serving. If it seems dry, stir in another tablespoon or two of mayo or a splash of milk or vinegar. Taste one more time and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Don't overcook the pasta; aim for al dente. Cool the pasta completely before adding dressing. Chilling time is key for flavor development. Always taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Can be prepped ahead; make dressing and chop veggies, then assemble closer to serving time. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. If dry, add a little more mayo or milk before serving.