Dunkley’s Famous Macaroni Salad 🥗
Description: This macaroni salad, inspired by Food Network’s ‘Calling All Cooks’, is perfect for large gatherings, boasting an incredible flavor sensation that will leave your guests craving for more! Don’t be intimidated by the long list of ingredients – each one contributes to the deliciousness of this dish.
- Preparation Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours
- Servings: 25
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 | Celery |
| 1 | Red onion |
| 1 | Onion |
| 1 | Medium cheddar |
| 1 | Swiss cheese |
| 1 | Parmesan cheese |
| 1/2 | Dill pickle |
| 1 | Horseradish |
| 1 | Garlic |
| 1 | White pepper |
| 1 | Black pepper |
| 1/2 | Cayenne pepper |
| 1 – 2 | Dry mustard |
| 1 – 2 | Diced pimentos |
| 1/2 | Mayonnaise |
| 1/2 | Black olives |
| 1 | Salami |
| 1 | Garlic salt |
| 1/2 | Celery salt |
Instructions:
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Boil Water: Start by bringing 2 quarts of water to a vigorous boil in a large pot.
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Cook Macaroni: Add the macaroni to the boiling water and cook until it reaches al dente perfection, which should take roughly 7-9 minutes. Be vigilant – overcooking will result in mushy pasta that won’t hold up in the salad.
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Rinse and Drain: Once the macaroni is cooked to perfection, promptly rinse it under cold water until it cools down. Drain the macaroni well and let it sit to dry out slightly.
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Combine Ingredients: Transfer the cooled macaroni to a large mixing bowl. Gently fold in the celery, red onion, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, Parmesan cheese, dill pickles, salami, and black olives. Ensure each ingredient is evenly distributed throughout the macaroni.
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Refrigerate: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture overnight, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully. If time is short, refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
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Prepare Seasoning: In a small bowl, mix together the garlic salt, minced garlic, white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, and celery salt. This flavorful seasoning will elevate the taste of the salad to new heights.
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Add Seasoning: Sprinkle the prepared seasoning over the macaroni mixture and gently fold it in, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the salad.
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Fold in Pimentos: Add the diced pimentos to the salad, folding them in gently to avoid breaking them apart.
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Prepare Dressing: In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup of mayonnaise with the horseradish. Adjust the amount of mayonnaise according to your preference, adding up to an additional 1/2 cup if desired.
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Incorporate Dressing: Fold the prepared dressing into the macaroni salad until everything is well coated.
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Final Chill: Refrigerate the salad for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving, allowing the flavors to fully develop.
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Serve and Enjoy: Once sufficiently chilled, dish out this delightful macaroni salad and watch as your guests dive in with gusto!
This recipe yields a crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for potlucks, weeknight dinners, or any occasion where you need to feed a hungry crowd. Enjoy the culinary masterpiece that is Dunkley’s Famous Macaroni Salad! 🎉
