Tangy Gordon Ramsay Macaroni Salad Recipe for Lively Sides
Gordon Ramsay’s macaroni salad bursts with vibrant flavors that electrify traditional pasta dishes.
This creamy sensation transforms mundane ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.
Crisp vegetables and tangy dressing dance together, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.
Summer picnics and backyard gatherings deserve a knockout side dish that steals the spotlight.
Every forkful delivers a perfect balance of smooth and crunchy elements that surprise and delight.
Ramsay’s genius lies in crafting a seemingly simple recipe packed with unexpected complexity.
Grab your fork and get ready to wow every hungry guest at your next meal.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 13 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes
Calories: 350 kcal
Servings: 5
Ingredients in Gordon Ramsay Macaroni Salad
For Pasta Base:For Creamy Dressing Components:For Colorful Mix-ins:Tools for Preparing Gordon Ramsay Macaroni Salad
Instructions to Make Macaroni Salad by Gordon Ramsay
Boil your macaroni in salty water until tender. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop cooking. Let the pasta cool completely before mixing.
Blend mayonnaise with a touch of sweetness, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Slowly mix in milk to create a silky sauce. Add a splash of tangy pickle juice for extra zest. Taste and adjust seasonings as you like.
Pour most of the dressing over cooled pasta. Gently toss to coat every noodle. Stir in a colorful mix of chopped olives, pickles, green onions, and roasted red peppers. Each bite will burst with exciting flavors and textures.
Sprinkle fresh green onions on top for a pop of color. Refrigerate for a couple hours to let the flavors dance together. The salad will become more delicious as it sits and chills. Serve cold and watch everyone enjoy this crowd-pleasing side dish.
Tips and Additions for Macaroni Salad
Bring this classic dish to life with these tasty twists and smart cooking strategies.
Experiment with different pasta varieties like shell pasta, rotini, or bow-tie noodles to add visual interest and catch more dressing in their curves.
Boost nutrition by mixing in diced ham, crispy bacon bits, shredded chicken, or tuna for a heartier side dish that becomes a complete meal.
Introduce extra crunch and nutrition by adding diced cucumber, shredded carrots, or chopped celery for more texture and freshness.
Prepare the salad a day in advance to let flavors develop and deepen. Store in an airtight container and give a quick stir before serving to revive the creamy consistency.
Serving Gordon Ramsay Macaroni Salad
How to Store Macaroni Salad by Gordon Ramsay
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Zingy Gordon Ramsay Macaroni Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 5 1x
Description
Macaroni salad from gordon ramsay brings classic comfort with a gourmet twist. Home cooks can elevate this creamy pasta dish using premium ingredients and precise seasoning techniques.
Ingredients
- 4 cups (946 ml) elbow macaroni
- 3 whole roasted red peppers, diced
- ½ cup (75 g) black olives, finely chopped
- 6 sweet/spicy pickle slices, diced (about ½ cup)
- 3 green onions, sliced
- ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
- ¼ cup (60 ml) milk, plus more if needed
- 1 tbsp red wine or distilled vinegar
- 3 tsp sugar, plus more or less to taste
- ¼ tsp salt, plus more to taste
- Black pepper
- Pickle juice (splash)
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Cook elbow macaroni in generously salted water until al dente, then rapidly cool under cold running water to prevent overcooking and halt the cooking process.
- Craft Dressing: Whisk mayonnaise, sugar, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl, gradually introducing milk to create a silky, fluid consistency while incorporating dill pickle juice for a zesty undertone.
- Combine Components: Gently fold cooled macaroni with dressing, ensuring complete and even coating, then fold in chopped green olives, diced dill pickles, sliced green onions, and roasted red peppers to distribute flavors harmoniously.
- Season and Refine: Taste the mixture, adjusting seasoning with additional pickle juice or spices to elevate the overall flavor profile and balance.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least two hours to allow ingredients to meld, then garnish with fresh green onion slices just before serving to provide a crisp, aromatic finish.
Notes
- Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours to allow ingredients to blend and develop a more complex, harmonious taste.
- Master the Dressing Consistency: Gradually add milk to achieve a smooth, pourable dressing that coats the pasta perfectly without becoming too runny.
- Rinse Pasta Thoroughly: Cold water stops the cooking process and prevents the macaroni from becoming mushy, ensuring a perfect al dente texture.
- Customize to Taste: Experiment with pickle juice and seasonings, tasting as you go to create a personalized flavor profile that suits your palate.
- Prep Time: 13 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Michael Thompson
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.