Spicy Macaroni Salad
Turn up the heat on your classic pasta salad with this zesty and flavorful Spicy Macaroni Salad! Perfectly al dente elbow macaroni is tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, a kick of sriracha, and a hint of Dijon mustard. Vibrant smoked paprika and cayenne pepper add depth, while fresh, crisp vegetables like red bell pepper, jalapeño, and celery provide a satisfying crunch. Finished with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro for a fresh pop, this chilled pasta salad is the ultimate side dish for barbecues, potlucks, or weekday meals. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleaser that brings bold, spicy flavor to your table.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons sriracha or hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 2 stalks celery stalks, diced
- 0.5 medium red onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium jalapeño, finely chopped
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, sriracha, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
Add the cooked and cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to coat the macaroni evenly in the sauce.
Fold in the diced red bell pepper, green bell pepper, celery, red onion, jalapeño, and fresh cilantro.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, black pepper, or hot sauce to suit your spice preference.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir. Serve chilled as a spicy and refreshing side dish for any meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
478 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 35.3 g | 45% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.3 g | 37% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 24 mg | 8% | |
| Sodium | 776 mg | 34% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 35.3 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.0 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.7 g | ||
| Protein | 6.5 g | 13% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 55 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 236 mg | 5% | |
*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.
