Can you use other pasta shapes in Barbecue Macaroni Salad?

You can make this dish with any short pasta you have on hand. Feel free to experiment with pasta shapes or just use this as an excuse to clean out your pantry!

Do you have to wait for the macaroni to cool before assembling Barbecue Macaroni Salad?

Yes. Rinsing the pasta under cold water will help speed up the cooling process and prevent the pasta from overcooking and turning mushy. Check out our guide on how to cook pasta perfectly for any type of recipe!

What else can you add to Barbecue Macaroni Salad?

If you're looking to add some pops of color, then red peppers, black beans and fresh corn can brighten up this dish and add a little crunch. Additionally, pulled pork, smothered in barbecue sauce, is a great option if you're wanting to add some protein to this dish.

—Ellie Crowley, Taste Recipes Culinary Assistant

Test Kitchen tip

This is a solid base recipe to use for all kinds of pasta salads. Experiment with your favorite mix-ins.

Test Kitchen tip

If you're going to chill this salad for more than a couple of hours before serving, stir in just half of the dressing mixture. Add the rest right before serving for a nice creamy texture.

Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Test Kitchen tips

It's important to just halve the strawberries, not quarter them. If they're too small, they will sink into the cake.

When roasting the strawberries it's important to use a rimmed baking sheet to capture all the juices that will be released.

Test Kitchen tips

Make these sandwiches on the grill for a hint of smoky flavor.

If you don't love the mild tang of sourdough, use a loaf of Italian bread instead.

To substitute for each cup of buttermilk, use 1 Tbsp. white vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to measure 1 cup. Stir, then let stand 5 min. Or, use 1 cup plain yogurt or 1-3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1 cup milk.

Health Tip: Shrimp are a lean source of high-quality protein. Three ounces of cooked shrimp has 18 grams protein and just over 80 calories. Editor's Note: Six metal or soaked wooden skewers may be substituted for rosemary stems; grill as directed.

Test Kitchen Tips

To cut calories, replace the mayo with the same amount of plain Greek yogurt.

To quickly peel fresh garlic, gently crush the clove with the flat side of a large knife blade to loosen the peel. If you don’t have a large knife, you can crush the garlic with a small can.

Learn how to hard-boil eggs here.

Teriyaki Grilled Chicken Breast Tips

  

Why is my Teriyaki Grilled Chicken rubbery?

The leading cause for rubbery chicken breast is overcooking. When grilling chicken, be sure to do so over indirect heat, paying close attention to the grilling time noted in the recipe.  

How do you grill teriyaki chicken breast without drying it out?  

Marinating chicken breast is a great way to avoid dry meat. Grilling chicken over indirect heat also helps keep the meat juicy. Keep an eye on the chicken and flip it as directed in the recipe. Want to become a grill master? Check out our grilling guide to learn it all. 

How do you store teriyaki grilled chicken breast?  

Once cooked, this teriyaki grilled chicken breast can last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also wrap the grilled chicken in foil, set it in a freezer-proof storage container and freeze it up to 4 months. Now that you know how to freeze cooked chicken, get a jump start with these easy chicken breast recipes.  

What are some additional ingredients you can add to the marinade?  

Getting creative with marinades is easy. For this recipe, you can simply add a splash of lemon or lime juice, or stir in a little ground coriander or Chinese five spice powder. You could even mix in a dash or two of teriyaki sauce or an Asian-inspired salad dressing.  
 
 —Mark Hagen, Taste Recipes Executive Editor

What else can you put inside bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers?

If you're just learning how to cook with chorizo, know that it packs some heat. For a more mellow flavor, make these poppers with mild pork sausage, Italian sausage or ground beef. A lot of jalapeno popper-inspired recipes include cream cheese. If you're a cream cheese appetizer kind of person, cook just 1/2 pound meat and mix it with 8 ounces softened cream cheese and 1 cup shredded cheddar for the filling.

How else can you prepare bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers?

It's really convenient to make grilled appetizer recipes like these jalapeno poppers if you're having a barbecue. But you might prefer to prepare them in the oven or air fryer. Preheat the oven to 375° and arrange the poppers in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until the bacon is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Or, preheat the air fryer to 400° and arrange the poppers in a single layer. Cook until the bacon is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. Warning: Air-fryer appetizers can be addicting!

Can you make bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers ahead of time?

Yes, you can make bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers head of time. Make-ahead appetizers are always convenient when having company! To make these jalapeno poppers ahead of time, stuff and wrap the peppers with bacon then cover and refrigerate them for up to 2 days.

—Peggy Woodward, Taste Recipes Senior Food Editor Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.