THE GREAT AMERICAN MACARONI SALAD

THE GREAT AMERICAN MACARONI SALAD image

Yield 12 cups

Number Of Ingredients 19

1lb Radiatore or Fusilli pasta
1 1/4 cups Mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
1 1/2 Tbsps white wine vinegar
1 Tbsp garlic, minced
1 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp sweet paprika, plus additional to sprinkle on top
1/2 tsp tabasco
2 cups green bell pepper, cored & diced fine (I actually always use red pepper)
1 1/2 cups celery, diced fine
1 cup cucumber, seeded and diced fine (I never worry about getting rid of the seeds)
1 cup sliced or coarsely chopped pimiento-stuffed green olives
1/2 cup sliced or coarsely chopped pitted black olives
1/3 cup red onion, diced fine
1 - 4oz jar pimiento strips, including all juices
6 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese, diced fine or shredded
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley

Steps:

Cook pasta in boiling water until tender. Drain thoroughly. While pasta cooks, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, garlic, dry mustard, salt, black pepper, paprika and tabasco in a medium bowl. When pasta has cooled to room temperature, toss with dressing in a large bowl. Fold in bell peppers, celery, cucumber, green & black olives, red onion, pimiento, and juices, cheese and 1/3 of parsley. Transfer to serving dish and top with remaining parsley and additional paprika. Serve at room temperature.