Pepper Jack Mac Salad
Creamy, zesty, and packed with colorful crunch, Pepper Jack Mac Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleasing dish for your next gathering. This easy-to-make pasta salad features tender elbow macaroni coated in a luscious dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and a hint of smoked paprika for a subtle kick. Chunks of spicy Pepper Jack cheese meld perfectly with crisp bell peppers, crunchy celery, and sharp red onion for a delightful mix of textures and bold flavors. Perfectly chilled and bursting with fresh, tangy, and smoky notes, this versatile recipe shines as a barbecue side dish or a quick, satisfying lunch. Get ready to elevate your macaroni salad game with this irresistible twist on a classic! Keywords: Pepper Jack Mac Salad, easy pasta salad, summer side dish, creamy dressing, spicy cheese salad.
The Toxic-Free Cutting Board
Medical-grade titanium. No microplastics. No bacteria. No compromises.
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Elbow macaroni pasta
- 1 cup Pepper Jack cheese
- 1 medium Red bell pepper
- 1 medium Green bell pepper
- 0.5 medium Red onion
- 2 stalks Celery stalks
- 0.75 cup Mayonnaise
- 0.5 cup Sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
- 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
While the pasta cooks, dice the Pepper Jack cheese, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, and celery into small, even-sized pieces.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
Add the cooled macaroni to the mixing bowl with the dressing and toss to coat evenly.
Fold in the diced vegetables and Pepper Jack cheese until distributed evenly throughout the salad.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, give the salad a gentle toss to redistribute any dressing that may have settled. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Serve chilled as a side dish or enjoy on its own!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
537 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 33.7 g | 43% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.8 g | 49% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 41 mg | 14% | |
| Sodium | 557 mg | 24% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 47.6 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.3 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.2 g | ||
| Protein | 13.2 g | 26% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 186 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 2.1 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 205 mg | 4% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
