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.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

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

Directions

Step 1

Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, dice the Pepper Jack cheese, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, and celery into small, even-sized pieces.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

Add the cooled macaroni to the mixing bowl with the dressing and toss to coat evenly.

Step 5

Fold in the diced vegetables and Pepper Jack cheese until distributed evenly throughout the salad.

Step 6

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

Serve chilled as a side dish or enjoy on its own!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1096.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2913.6

Total Fat 192.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 48.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 355.0mg	0%
Sodium 2791.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 237.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.7g	0%
Total Sugars 26.6g
Protein 67.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1085.7mg	0%
Iron 4.8mg	0%
Potassium 1232.8mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.7%

Protein: 9.1%

Carbs: 32.2%