Amish Macaroni Salad

Table of contents

1. Why You’ll Love This Amish Macaroni Salad
2. Ingredients You’ll Need
3. How to Make Amish Macaroni Salad
4. Step 1: Cook the Macaroni
5. Step 2: Whisk the Dressing
6. Step 3: Prep the Eggs and Vegetables
7. Step 4: Combine Everything
8. Step 5: Chill Before Serving
9. Tips for the Best Amish Macaroni Salad
10. Easy Variations
11. What to Serve With Amish Macaroni Salad
12. How to Store and Reheat
13. In the Refrigerator
14. In the Freezer
15. Serving Leftovers
16. Can You Make It Ahead?
17. Frequently Asked Questions
18. Can I use mayonnaise instead of Miracle Whip?
19. Why is my macaroni salad watery?
20. Can I make this salad without eggs?
21. Is Amish macaroni salad vegetarian?
22. Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe
23. Ingredients
24. Instructions
25. Notes
26. Final Thoughts

Amish Macaroni Salad is the creamy, slightly sweet pasta salad that shows up at church suppers, family reunions, and backyard cookouts for good reason. Tender elbow macaroni is tossed in a tangy Miracle Whip and mustard dressing, then folded together with chopped hard-boiled eggs and crunchy vegetables.

What sets it apart from a standard macaroni salad is the dressing. A little sugar balances the tang of vinegar, mustard, and dill relish, and a dash of celery seed gives it that classic old-fashioned flavor. The yellow mustard also gives the salad its signature sunny color.

Active prep takes about 15 minutes, plus 8 to 10 minutes to cook the pasta. After that, the salad needs at least 3 hours in the fridge for the flavors to come together. The recipe makes 8 servings, which makes it a natural choice for potlucks.

Why You’ll Love This Amish Macaroni Salad

• Sweet and tangy balance: The dressing hits creamy, tangy, and lightly sweet notes all at once.
• Plenty of crunch: Celery, red bell pepper, and sweet onion keep every bite fresh and crisp.
• Perfect for crowds: It feeds 8 and travels easily to picnics and potlucks.
• Made ahead by design: It needs time to chill, so you can make it the day before and relax.
• Budget-friendly basics: Pasta, eggs, and a few pantry condiments keep the cost low.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need everyday staples for this salad. Here is how each one contributes, plus a few swaps if you need them.

• Elbow macaroni: The classic shape for this salad. Small shells or rotini also hold the dressing well.
• Miracle Whip: Gives the dressing its signature tang and sweetness. Mayonnaise works, but the salad will be richer and less tangy.
• Dill pickle relish: Adds briny flavor and texture. Sweet relish makes the salad even sweeter.
• Yellow mustard: Adds tang and the bright yellow color. Spicy brown mustard gives a bolder flavor.
• Sugar and white vinegar: The sweet-and-sour pair that defines Amish-style dressings.
• Celery seed: A small amount adds a savory, almost herbal note. Do not skip it.
• Hard-boiled eggs: Add richness and body. Leave them out if you prefer an egg-free salad.
• Sweet onion, celery, and red bell pepper: Fresh crunch and color.

How to Make Amish Macaroni Salad

Step 1: Cook the Macaroni

Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil and add the macaroni. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until tender. Drain, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking, and let the pasta finish cooling while you make the dressing.

Step 2: Whisk the Dressing

In a medium bowl, whisk the Miracle Whip, relish, mustard, sugar, vinegar, salt, pepper, and celery seed until smooth. Keep whisking until the sugar dissolves so the dressing is not gritty.

Step 3: Prep the Eggs and Vegetables

Chop the hard-boiled eggs, and dice the sweet onion, celery, and red bell pepper into small, even pieces. Pat the vegetables dry if they are wet so they do not water down the salad.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Add the cooled macaroni to a large bowl and stir in the dressing until every piece is coated. Gently fold in the eggs, onion, celery, and bell pepper so the eggs stay in pieces.

Step 5: Chill Before Serving

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Overnight is even better. Give the salad a good stir before serving.

Tips for the Best Amish Macaroni Salad

• Cook the pasta just until tender. It softens a little more as it soaks up the dressing, so avoid overcooking.
• Drain the macaroni well. Extra water left in the pasta can make the salad runny.
• Let the pasta cool fully. Warm pasta can make the dressing thin and oily.
• Be patient with chilling. The 3-hour rest lets the pasta absorb the dressing and the flavors blend.
• Adjust the sweetness to taste. If you prefer a less sweet salad, start with ¼ cup sugar and add more after tasting.

Easy Variations

• Mayo version: Swap the Miracle Whip for mayonnaise and add a touch more vinegar for tang.
• Bacon and cheese: Fold in crumbled bacon and cubed cheddar or Colby Jack.
• Garden add-ins: Add peas, shredded carrots, or sliced radishes for extra color.
• Make it a meal: Stir in diced ham or shredded cooked chicken.
• A little heat: Add a pinch of cayenne or some minced jalapeño to the dressing.

What to Serve With Amish Macaroni Salad

• Fried chicken or grilled chicken
• Burgers and hot dogs
• Pulled pork sandwiches
• BBQ ribs
• Warm cornbread

How to Store and Reheat

In the Refrigerator

Keep the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Because it contains eggs and a creamy dressing, do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour on a hot day above 90°F.

In the Freezer

This salad does not freeze well. The dressing separates and the pasta and vegetables turn soft and watery once thawed, so it is best enjoyed from the fridge.

Serving Leftovers

Serve leftovers cold, straight from the refrigerator. Stir well first, since the dressing can settle, and add a spoonful of Miracle Whip if the pasta has soaked up too much dressing.

Can You Make It Ahead?

Yes, and you should. You can assemble the whole salad up to 24 hours before serving, and the flavor only improves overnight. You can also cook the macaroni, boil the eggs, and chop the vegetables a day ahead, store them separately in the fridge, and mix everything together the next day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use mayonnaise instead of Miracle Whip?

Yes. The salad will taste richer and a little less tangy and sweet. Add an extra splash of vinegar and a little more sugar if you want to get closer to the original flavor.

Why is my macaroni salad watery?

The pasta may not have been drained well, or the vegetables released moisture. Drain the macaroni thoroughly and pat the chopped vegetables dry before mixing.

Can I make this salad without eggs?

Yes. Simply leave them out and add a bit more celery or bell pepper for extra crunch.

Is Amish macaroni salad vegetarian?

As written, yes. It contains eggs but no meat. Check the labels on your dressing and relish if you follow a strict diet.

Recipe

Print recipe

Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe

Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 10 minutes Total: 3 hours 25 minutes Serves: 8 Calories: 345

Ingredients

• 2½ cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 2 cups Miracle Whip
• 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
• 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¾ teaspoon celery seed
• 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• ¼ cup diced sweet onion
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and diced

Instructions

1. Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until tender. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside to finish cooling.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the Miracle Whip, relish, mustard, sugar, vinegar, salt, pepper, and celery seed until smooth.
3. In a large bowl, stir the cooled macaroni together with the dressing.
4. Gently fold in the chopped eggs, onion, celery, and bell pepper.
5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. Stir before serving.

Notes

Total time includes the 3-hour chill. The salad tastes best made the day before. Keep it refrigerated and do not leave it out for more than 2 hours. Leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge; this salad does not freeze well.

Final Thoughts

This Amish Macaroni Salad is a simple, crowd-pleasing side that belongs at every summer cookout and potluck. Make a batch for your next gathering, and leave a comment below to share how it went over.