Description
Gordon Ramsay’s Macaroni Salad is a vibrant, creamy dish loaded with a medley of fresh vegetables, crunchy sweet gherkins, and hard-boiled eggs. Tossed in a tangy, flavorful dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, and a blend of sweet pickle juice, Dijon mustard, and spices, this salad is chilled to perfection for a refreshing summer side.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 8 oz dry macaroni noodles
- ½ cup finely diced sweet gherkins
- ¾ cup finely diced red bell pepper
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced celery
- ⅓ cup finely diced red onion
- 2 large hard-boiled eggs, finely diced
Dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 Tbsp sweet pickle juice
- 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp garlic powder
- ⅛ tsp crushed red pepper
Other
- Olive oil (for tossing pasta, quantity as needed)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil 8 oz dry macaroni noodles in salted water for about 8-10 minutes until just al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Toss with a drizzle of olive oil to keep the pasta from sticking together.
- Prepare Vegetables and Eggs: Finely dice ½ cup sweet gherkins, ¾ cup red bell pepper, ⅓ cup celery, ⅓ cup red onion, and 2 hard-boiled eggs. Set aside.
- Make the Dressing: In a mixing bowl, whisk together ¾ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons sweet pickle juice, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder, and ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Salad: In a large bowl, gently mix the cooled macaroni noodles, diced vegetables, and dressing until everything is thoroughly coated.
- Chill Before Serving: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly.
Notes
- Cooking macaroni al dente ensures the salad has the ideal texture and doesn’t become mushy after chilling.
- Sweet gherkins add a delightful crunch and sweetness that balances the tangy dressing.
- For extra flavor, consider garnishing with freshly chopped herbs like parsley or chives before serving.
- Salad can be made a few hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator covered tightly.
- If preferred, you can substitute the sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: macaroni salad, Gordon Ramsay recipe, summer salad, creamy macaroni salad, picnic side dish
