Spicy Horseradish Macaroni Salad

I love this spicy horseradish macaroni salad for it’s creamy noodles, the punchy pickled veggie addition, and the fresh herbs. For me, this spicy macaroni salad is the perfect side dish for every gathering, whether it’s a grilling session or a potluck celebration.

Horseradish Macaroni Salad

Let’s discuss horseradish, because it’s one of my favorite ingredients.

When horseradish overwhelms a dish, I tend to not enjoy the overpowering result. Luckily, this macaroni salad is not like that, with the horseradish coming through as more of a warming, background flavor. I know it’s there, but it doesn’t take over.

This horseradish macaroni salad has so many flavors to celebrate. I’m actually obsessed with the way it turned out. The fresh oregano also plays a dominant role in making every bite pop!

Why I Love This Recipe

• I appreciate how customizable this recipe is. I can easily tweak it by adding different vegetables or adjusting the amount of horseradish to suit my taste or my guests’ preferences. The measurements are basically a suggestion.
• I love that the flavors meld and improve even more the next day, making leftovers something I actually look forward to.
• Even with my busy schedule, I can whip it up quickly!

Ingredients

The ingredients found in this salad work together and complement each other in all the best ways.

Mayonnaise: I stick with the full-fat version for a full-bodied salad because it gives the dish a rich, creamy texture that I love.
Prepared horseradish: I use prepared horseradish, made with grated horseradish root, vinegar, and salt, because it offers a unique flavor profile that fresh horseradish alone can’t achieve.
Sour cream: I prefer the full-fat version for the best mouthfeel; it makes the salad incredibly smooth and satisfying.
Shredded Parmesan cheese: I often shred my own Parmesan, but buying it pre-shredded saves time and still adds a great umami kick to the salad.
Pepperoncini and it’s juice: This pickled condiment is a game-changer; its tanginess and slight heat elevate the overall flavor of the salad.
Fresh lemon juice: The fresh lemon juice is a flavor booster; it brightens up the salad and adds a refreshing zing.
Fresh oregano: I insist on using fresh oregano because it adds a depth of flavor that dried oregano just can’t match.
Black pepper: A few cracks of black pepper add just the right amount of spice and complexity to the dish.
Red pepper flakes: Adds the perfect heat.
Elbow macaroni: I usually go with elbow macaroni, but sometimes I mix it up with different pasta shapes for variety.
Hard-boiled eggs: I include hard-boiled eggs for extra protein and texture, but it’s easy to leave them out if I’m catering to different tastes.
Frozen peas: Adding frozen peas gives the salad a pop of color and a sweet, crisp texture that I really enjoy.

How To Make Spicy Horseradish Macaroni Salad

Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Step One: In a large bowl, I combine mayo, horseradish, sour cream, Parmesan, pepperoncini, pepperoncini juice, lemon juice, oregano, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. I like to make this part a day ahead because it allows the flavors to meld together. I don’t worry if the consistency seems thin, as I know the pasta will soak it all up.
• Step Two: I add the cooked pasta, eggs, and peas to the mayo-horseradish mixture and combine everything well. Then, I place it in the refrigerator for at least four hours before serving to let the flavors meld together perfectly.

Recipe Tips 

Here are a few ways I avoid the stumbling blocks of flavorless macaroni salad and consistently make one that explodes with flavor.

1. Don’t forget to season the pasta water…generously. All good pasta salads begin with seasoned water and this macaroni salad is no different. I make sure to add the salt before adding the pasta to the water.
2. Adding a pickled veggie. In the case of this salad it’s pepperoncini and it’s bottled juice. I have found this adds a vibrant crunch and taste to this creamy salad.
3. I don’t rely on just mayonnaise for creaminess. For the most flavorful dressing I integrate mayo and sour cream, it adds the best mouthfeel.

Make-Ahead Tips

When I plan to make my spicy macaroni salad a day or two in advance, I follow a few steps to maintain its creaminess.

• While I cook the elbow macaroni, I whisk together the full recipe of the creamy dressing.
• I immediately shock the cooked noodles in an ice bath to cool them off, then toss them with three tablespoons of the dressing and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• I know the oil from the mayonnaise will prevent the noodles from sticking together, and keeping most of the dressing separate ensures the noodles won’t soak it all up, leaving the salad dry.
• I often slice the pepperoncini, herbs, and cheese in advance and store them separately in the refrigerator.
• When it’s time to serve, I toss the macaroni noodles with the remaining dressing and stir in the other ingredients.

Leftovers and Storage

• I always make sure to store any leftover spicy macaroni salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• When I have leftovers, I find that the flavors continue to meld and taste even better the next day.
• If the salad seems a bit dry after being refrigerated, I stir in a little extra mayonnaise or sour cream to restore its creaminess.
• I love having leftovers for a quick and delicious lunch or dinner the following day.
• Sometimes, I add a fresh squeeze of lemon juice or some extra herbs to brighten up the salad before serving it again.

MORE PASTA SALAD RECIPES

Let the season of family grilling events, cookouts, and poolside parties with friends give you a reason or two try out one of these favorite pasta salad recipes.

• Italian Pasta Salad
• Antipasto Pasta Salad
• Sweet Potato Pasta Salad
• Greek Pasta Salad
• Bacon Ranch Tortellini Salad
• Rainbow Macaroni Salad
• Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
• Pepperoni Pasta Salad

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Print Recipe

4.67 from 15 votes

Spicy Horseradish Macaroni Salad

Add pizzazz to your meals with Spicy Horseradish Macaroni Salad. This side dish is great for grilling, potlucks, or weeknight dinners.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Chilling4 hours hrs

Total Time4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Spicy Macaroni Pasta Salad

Servings: 8 people

Calories: 320kcal

Author: Cathy Pollak

Equipment

• measuring cups and spoons
• mixing bowls

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup prepared horseradish
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup finely chopped pepperoncini (or use the already sliced version)
• 1/3 cup pepperoncini juice (from the jar)
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsps fresh oregano, minced
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 lb elbow macaroni cooked al dente and cooled
• 4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1/2 cup frozen peas ,thawed

Instructions

• In a large bowl combine mayonnaise, horseradish, sour cream, Parmesan, pepperoncini, pepperoncini juice, lemon juice, oregano, black pepper and red pepper flakes. (You can easily make this part a day ahead. Don't worry if the consistency is thin, the pasta will soak it all up.)
  3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup prepared horseradish, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, 1/3 cup finely chopped pepperoncini (or use the already sliced version), 1/3 cup pepperoncini juice (from the jar) , 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsps fresh oregano, minced, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• Add cooked pasta, eggs and peas to the mayo-horseradish mixture; combine well. Place in the refrigerator for at least four hours before serving.
  1 lb elbow macaroni, 4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped, 1/2 cup frozen peas

Video

Notes

For optimal outcomes when preparing this spicy horseradish macaroni salad, it's recommended to refer to the recipe details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes, expert tips and frequently asked questions, that are not presented in the recipe card, often including how to make this recipe dairy-free, gluten free or vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions or variations.

The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Spicy Horseradish Macaroni Salad

Amount Per Serving (172 g)

Calories 320 Calories from Fat 189

% Daily Value*

Fat 21g32%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Trans Fat 0.1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 9g

Monounsaturated Fat 4g

Cholesterol 110mg37%

Sodium 285mg12%

Potassium 87mg2%

Carbohydrates 22g7%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 8IU0%

Vitamin C 5mg6%

Calcium 10mg1%

Iron 5mg28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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