Amish Macaroni Salad is a creamy pasta salad with hard-boiled eggs, crisp vegetables, and a sweet and tangy dressing. Pickle relish, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar give the dressing plenty of flavor.
I first tried this macaroni salad while visiting Amish country and loved the combination of creamy dressing, tender pasta, and crunchy vegetables. An Amish woman later shared her recipe with me, and it has been a favorite ever since.
Why I Love Amish Macaroni Salad
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Pasta: Use a 16-ounce package of your favorite pasta shape.
- Celery & Red Onion: Add fresh crunch and flavor.
- Hard-Boiled Eggs: Make the salad hearty and creamy.
- Red Bell Pepper: Adds sweetness, crunch, and color.
- Mayonnaise: Creates the creamy base for the dressing.
- Sweet Pickle Relish: Adds sweetness and tang.
- Dijon Mustard & Apple Cider Vinegar: Give the dressing its tangy flavor.
- Garlic, Celery Seed & Worcestershire Sauce: Add extra savory flavor.
- Sugar: Gives Amish macaroni salad its signature sweeter dressing.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Amish Macaroni Salad
Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
Add the Mix-Ins: Combine the cooled pasta with the celery, hard-boiled eggs, red onion, and red bell pepper.
Make the Dressing: Stir together all the dressing ingredients until creamy and the sugar has dissolved.
Combine and Serve: Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss until everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it quickly.
- Let the pasta drain well so excess water doesn’t thin the dressing.
- Chop the vegetables into small, similar-sized pieces so you get a little of everything in each bite.
- Give the salad a good stir before serving if it has been chilling.
Questions Readers Ask Most
Can I make Amish macaroni salad ahead of time?
Yes. You can make it ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Give it a good stir before serving.
Why is Amish macaroni salad sweet?
The sugar and sweet pickle relish give the creamy dressing its signature sweet and tangy flavor.
Can I use a different pasta shape?
Yes. Elbow macaroni is classic, but any short pasta shape will work.
Do I need to let the pasta cool first?
Yes. Rinsing the pasta under cold water cools it quickly and keeps the warm pasta from thinning the mayonnaise dressing.
How do I store leftover macaroni salad?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
More Salad Recipes I Love
Secret Amish Macaroni Salad
Amish Macaroni Salad is a creamy pasta salad with hard-boiled eggs, crisp vegetables, and a sweet and tangy dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 16ounce package pasta, any shape
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 4 large hard boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper
- For the Sauce
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 4 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1/2 teaspoon finely minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup sugar
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions, then drain and run under cold water for a minute.
- Place the pasta, celery, eggs, onion and pepper in a bowl and toss to combine.
- In a mixing bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients and stir until sugar has dissolved and the sauce is creamy.
- Pour over the pasta.
- Toss the pasta to combine with the sauce.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
Drain the pasta well after rinsing so excess water doesn’t thin the creamy dressing. Stir the salad again before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 370Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 6gUnsaturated Fat: 28gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 393mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 2gSugar: 9gProtein: 4g
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