If you’re looking for a show-stopping, colorful, and ridiculously satisfying pasta salad, An Incredible 7-Layer Pasta Delight is about to become your go-to. This is Guy Fieri’s Mac-Daddi-Roni Salad like you’ve never had it before: it’s loaded with tender macaroni, crisp veggies, a tangy-creamy dressing, and layer after layer of flavors and textures. Whether you’re tossing it together for a summer BBQ, family potluck, or just a craving for something bold, this craveworthy salad comes together easily but tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen.

An Incredible 7-Layer Pasta Delight Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of An Incredible 7-Layer Pasta Delight is how it brings together simple pantry finds and fresh veggies, each one pulling big weight for flavor, color, or crunch. Here’s what you’ll need, and why each ingredient is essential:

Elbow macaroni: Classic shape that holds the creamy dressing in each bend and curve.
Mayonnaise: Delivers that rich base every perfect pasta salad needs.
Sour cream: Adds tang and silkiness, making the dressing luxuriously smooth.
Dijon mustard: Brings sharpness and that little kick that wakes up the whole bowl.
Apple cider vinegar: Lifts all the flavors with its gentle sweetness and bright acidity.
Garlic powder: Infuses subtle savory depth throughout.
Onion powder: Rounds out the dressing with mellow, sweet undertones.
Sugar: Just a touch balances out the tang and spice so nothing goes overboard.
Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out every layer’s best character.
Diced celery: Delivers crunch and a splash of refreshing green.
Diced red bell pepper: Bursts of color and a little sweetness in every bite.
Grated sharp cheddar cheese: Salty, rich, and the melty glue that ties the salad together.
Sliced green onions: Bright, zingy pop all the way through.
Frozen peas (thawed): Sweet, tender, and a must for a real 7-layer experience.

How to Make An Incredible 7-Layer Pasta Delight

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil, toss in your elbow macaroni, and cook it al dente (just around 7–9 minutes). Be sure to stir now and then so nothing sticks together. Once done, drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. This step locks in the perfect texture and cools the pasta down, ready for all those layers.

Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Dressing

In a separate bowl, start whisking together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and glossy. This is the backbone of the dish — rich, tangy, and laced with savory goodness. If you taste the dressing at this point, you’ll already want to eat it by the spoonful!

Step 3: Chop Your Veggies

While the pasta is cooling, dice the celery and red bell pepper for crunch and sweetness. Slice the green onions for their mild bite. Take out your peas to thaw, and grate the sharp cheddar cheese. This simple prep work ensures every single forkful of An Incredible 7-Layer Pasta Delight has the perfect mix of veggies and cheese.

Step 4: Combine the Layers

Now for the fun! In a massive mixing bowl, start with your cooled pasta. Layer on the celery, red bell pepper, peas, and green onions, then sprinkle in the grated cheese. At this stage, the salad looks like a rainbow and is already so tempting, but we’re not done yet.

Step 5: Mix in the Dressing

Pour your dreamy, tangy dressing over everything and give it a gentle stir, making sure each piece of macaroni and every bit of veggie gets a luscious coating. Don’t over-mix; you want all those textures to shine in the finished salad.

Step 6: Taste and Adjust

Here’s where you nudge the salad to perfection — taste a forkful and see if it could use a pinch more salt, pepper, or even an extra splash of vinegar. Trust your taste buds, because An Incredible 7-Layer Pasta Delight shines brightest when the flavors are totally in balance and customized to your crew.

Step 7: Chill to Let the Flavors Meld

Pop a cover over your bowl and slide it into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This quick chill gives all the flavors time to mingle and makes the salad even creamier. It also means you can make it a bit ahead of your get-together — easy entertaining win!

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Give the salad one last gentle toss before piling it into a serving bowl. That’s seven layers of color, crunch, tang, and comfort, all in one dish. Your An Incredible 7-Layer Pasta Delight is officially ready to wow your friends.

How to Serve An Incredible 7-Layer Pasta Delight

Garnishes

For a final burst of freshness and color, sprinkle extra sliced green onions or chopped parsley over the top. A dusting of smoked paprika gives a punch of flavor and a vivid finish. These simple touches take your An Incredible 7-Layer Pasta Delight from delicious to dazzling, making each serving look as good as it tastes.

Side Dishes

This pasta salad is hearty enough to stand on its own, but it pairs beautifully with classics like grilled chicken, burgers, or smoky BBQ ribs. Brighten up your picnic spread by adding a tray of fresh fruit or crisp pickles alongside. Everyone will love coming back for seconds — and thirds!

Creative Ways to Present

Show off those gorgeous layers by serving An Incredible 7-Layer Pasta Delight in a clear glass bowl or trifle dish. For parties, scoop the salad into individual mason jars or small glasses so every guest gets their own perfect portion. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser — and a conversation starter every time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover any leftover salad tightly or transfer it to an airtight container. Kept in the fridge, An Incredible 7-Layer Pasta Delight stays fresh and ultra-creamy for up to 3 days, and the flavors just keep getting better with time.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t ideal for this dish, since the creaminess can turn a little grainy after thawing and the veggies may lose their satisfying crunch. For peak texture and flavor, stick with fridge storage and enjoy within a few days.

Reheating

This salad is meant to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so no reheating required! If it’s been in the fridge a while and the dressing has thickened up, just let it sit at room temp for 15-20 minutes and stir before serving.

FAQs

Can I make An Incredible 7-Layer Pasta Delight a day in advance?

Absolutely! In fact, this salad gets even tastier as it sits and the layers have time to mingle. Just give it a stir before serving, and add any last-minute garnishes right before you bring it to the table.

How can I lighten up the dressing?

You can swap in Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream for some of the mayo and full-fat sour cream. The salad will still be ultra-creamy but a bit lighter, and you’ll hardly notice the difference.

Is there a gluten-free version?

Definitely! Just use your favorite gluten-free elbow macaroni instead of regular pasta, and double-check that your condiments are gluten-free. The rest of the recipe stays the same — still absolutely delicious.

What proteins can I add to make it a main dish?

For extra oomph, toss in diced ham, shredded rotisserie chicken, or crispy bacon. Any of these will turn An Incredible 7-Layer Pasta Delight into a complete meal with very little effort.

Can I customize the veggies for picky eaters?

Totally! Swap the red bell pepper for diced carrots, or leave out the peas if needed. The beauty of this recipe is how easy it is to personalize, while keeping the heart of the salad intact.

Final Thoughts

Give An Incredible 7-Layer Pasta Delight a try and watch it disappear at your next gathering — or even on a lazy weeknight when the craving strikes. This salad brings big, bold, seriously fun flavor every time, and it’s a true celebration of everything that makes pasta salads irresistible. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked for the recipe again and again!