Name: Ultimate Guy Fieri Macaroni Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 200g (1 cup) Elbow Macaroni: Cooked al dente for optimal texture.; 120g (½ cup) Mayonnaise: Full-fat for a rich, creamy base.; 30g (2 Tbsp) Plain Greek Yogurt: Adds tang and lightness.; 15ml (1 Tbsp) Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed for bright acidity.; 15ml (1 Tbsp) Lime Zest: Fragrant citrus note.; 10g (2 tsp) Smoked Paprika: Deep, savory flavor.; 5ml (1 tsp) Sriracha Sauce: Adjust to spice preference.; 30g (2 Tbsp) Dijon Mustard: Tang and emulsification.; 50g (½ cup) Sweet Corn Kernels: Adds sweetness and texture.; 50g (½ cup) Diced Red Bell Pepper: Color, crunch, and mild sweetness.; 30g (¼ cup) Diced Yellow Bell Pepper: Complementary flavor and visual appeal.; 30g (¼ cup) Diced Red Onion: Sharp bite, mellowed by soaking.; 30g (¼ cup) Dill Pickles, Finely Chopped: Briny crunch.; 50g (½ cup) Cheddar Cheese, Cubed: Classic flavor.; 30g (2 Tbsp) Chopped Fresh Cilantro: Vibrant garnish.; 15g (1 Tbsp) Chopped Fresh Parsley: Brightens the salad.; 1g (¼ tsp) Black Pepper, Freshly Ground: Warm spice.; 2g (½ tsp) Kosher Salt: Enhances flavors.

Description

This Ultimate Guy Fieri Macaroni Salad is a vibrant explosion of smoky, spicy, and tangy flavors. It’s a perfect potluck contribution, BBQ side, or satisfying lunch.

Ingredients

Scale

200g (1 cup) Elbow Macaroni: Cooked al dente for optimal texture.
120g (½ cup) Mayonnaise: Full-fat for a rich, creamy base.
30g (2 Tbsp) Plain Greek Yogurt: Adds tang and lightness.
15ml (1 Tbsp) Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed for bright acidity.
15ml (1 Tbsp) Lime Zest: Fragrant citrus note.
10g (2 tsp) Smoked Paprika: Deep, savory flavor.
5ml (1 tsp) Sriracha Sauce: Adjust to spice preference.
30g (2 Tbsp) Dijon Mustard: Tang and emulsification.
50g (½ cup) Sweet Corn Kernels: Adds sweetness and texture.
50g (½ cup) Diced Red Bell Pepper: Color, crunch, and mild sweetness.
30g (¼ cup) Diced Yellow Bell Pepper: Complementary flavor and visual appeal.
30g (¼ cup) Diced Red Onion: Sharp bite, mellowed by soaking.
30g (¼ cup) Dill Pickles, Finely Chopped: Briny crunch.
50g (½ cup) Cheddar Cheese, Cubed: Classic flavor.
30g (2 Tbsp) Chopped Fresh Cilantro: Vibrant garnish.
15g (1 Tbsp) Chopped Fresh Parsley: Brightens the salad.
1g (¼ tsp) Black Pepper, Freshly Ground: Warm spice.
2g (½ tsp) Kosher Salt: Enhances flavors.

Instructions

Cook the Macaroni: Boil macaroni until al dente, seasoning the water well.
Shock the Pasta: Drain and rinse macaroni under cold water to stop cooking.
Whip Up Dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, zest, paprika, sriracha, mustard, salt, and pepper.
Combine and Coat: Toss cooled macaroni with dressing, corn, peppers, onion, pickles, and cheese.
Chill and Meld: Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Plate and Garnish: Serve chilled, garnished with sriracha, paprika, cilantro, and parsley.

Notes

For optimal flavor, chill the salad for at least 30 minutes. Soaking the red onion mellows its bite.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Cold
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 10g
Cholesterol: 50mg

Keywords: macaroni salad,guy fieri,pasta salad,bbq,potluck,side dish,smoked paprika,sriracha