4.62 from 18 votes

Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe

ByTrisha Haas Published: Updated:
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Amish macaroni salad is a sweet macaroni salad with a bit of a tangy crunch from all the delicious veggies folded inside.

Super creamy and a perfect cold side dish, this is the best Amish Macaroni Salad recipe to feed a crowd.

white plate with amish macaroni salad and boiled eggs on top.

Why you will love this Sweet Amish Macaroni Salad

This sweet Amish macaroni salad varies greatly from my old fashioned macaroni salad recipe or these 20 varying macaroni salad recipes.

With red peppers and relish, you get a perfect crunch with layers of sweetness mixed in. Of course, we all know that macaroni salad and the dressing on it can be made in about 100 different ways, but this one must be on the table for every party!

This is just the Amish salad recipe you have been looking for—classic, simple, and delicious.

Ingredients

What makes Amish macaroni salad Amish? This type of macaroni salad recipe has always varied a bit from house to house, but it originated in Pennsylvania.

Found at picnics and family outings, it’s a popular recipe with roots in the East. To make this extra hearty, you can also add some shredded chicken.  As far as taste is concerned, everyone likes a different kind of macaroni salad, so you will enjoy this one if you like a sweet macaroni salad.

While it doesn’t have any honey in it, my husband compares the sweetness of honey mustard with all the other combined ingredients.

  • macaroni, cooked and cooled (about 2 cups dry)
  • hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • diced celery
  • diced red pepper
  • diced onion
  • sweet relish
  • prepared yellow mustard
  • real mayonnaise
  • white sugar
  • salt
  • coriander
image with all amish pasta salad ingredients laid out and labeled.

How to make Amish Macaroni Salad

Make sure to check out the printable recipe card for full step-by-step instructions and ingredients.

6 image collage of Amish macaroni salad labeled step by step.
  1. To get started on your macaroni salad recipe, add eggs, celery, red pepper, onion, and relish to a large mixing bowl.
  2. Mix well.
  3. Add in mustard, mayonnaise, sugar, salt, and coriander, and mix well.
  4. Stir in elbow macaroni.
  5. Cover and refrigerate overnight so the sugar can dissolve.
  6. Stir well before serving.

FAQ’s

What IS Amish Macaroni Salad?

This salad is widely known as a sweet mayo-mustard dressing combination that includes sweet sugar.

Does the dressing have to be made separately?

There is some truth to dressings being able to be completely mixed well and added to the noodles as a way of keeping all the ingredients evenly matched. But personally, I put all the ingredients into one easy bowl, mix well, and am done.

This keeps you from having too many dishes, and as long as you stir well, it’s really the same thing.

Do I use miracle whip or mayo?

This is one recipe argument we get in our house. Half the family likes Miracle Whip, the other half Mayo…and the side that likes Mayo argues over Hellmann’s versus Dukes. Mayo is a personal choice, and you can use either one.

How long does Amish Macaroni Salad last?

This salad should last three days in a tightly sealed container. The boiled eggs on top should also last just fine. If the salad is dry, make a bit of extra dressing and re-add, stir, and serve first.

How to keep the pasta from sticking

Many people love to make pasta ahead when preparing for a holiday, including macaroni and pasta salads. Once the noodles are drained, immediately rinse them with cold water.

This helps prevent sticking and overcooking and stops unnecessary clumps of macaroni noodles.

What goes great with macaroni salad?

Typically, these types of pasta salad recipes are served intentionally to groups of people at parties, potlucks, and cookouts.

They can be served alongside other pasta salad recipes like ranch pasta salad or tuna pasta salad, serve well with dips like garlic dip, cucumber dip, or onion dip, and are complementary to sweeter side dishes like snicker apple salad.

Is Amish Macaroni Salad healthy?

I often get asked if Amish Macaroni Salad is healthy…The truth is, what is considered healthy? Most people will tell you that pasta in and of itself is bad, but when it comes to summer food and summer salads, I say enjoy some and live a little.

This salad is delightful and sweet, perfect for you to enjoy over a table with friends without worrying about a diet.

It is totally fine to leave out the added sugar or cut back on the amount of sugar. One way to enjoy the sweet without so much sugar is to substitute for Dijon mustard.

creamy classic Amish macaroni salad recipe.
4.62 from 18 votes
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Amish Macaroni Salad

Author Trisha Haas – Salty Side Dish

Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
making pasta 15 minutes
8 people
Amish macaroni salad is a sweet macaroni salad with a bit of a tangy crunch from all the delicious veggies folded in side. Super creamy and a perfect cold side dish, this is the best Amish Macaroni Salad recipe to feed a crowd. 

Ingredients
 

  • 4 cups macaroni cooked and cooled (about 2 cups dry)
  • 3 hard boiled eggs chopped
  • 1/2 cup celery diced
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 cup white onion diced
  • 2 tablespoons sweet relish
  • 3 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
  • 1 cup real mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon corriander

Instructions

  • Boil 4 cups of macaroni noodles. Drain and rinse with cold water. Make sure to shake off as much extra water as possible before moving on. Set macaroni noodles aside.
    4 cups macaroni
  • In a bowl, add cut up hard boiled eggs, chopped celery, diced red pepper, diced onion and sweet relish to a large mixing bowl.
  • Mix all ingredients well.
  • Measure and stir in mustard, mayonnaise, sugar, salt and coriander and mix well. Make sure all ingredients are fully incorporated.
  • Dump in cooled and boiled macaroni noodles. Stir all ingredients together very well.
  • This salad does best if you can cover and refrigerate overnight so the sugar can dissolve, however, it is fine to eat immediately if necessary. As with all macaroni salads, serve chilled.
  • If time in fridge, give it a good stir before serving to pull up any settling of mayo and mustard dressing.

Video

Notes

Does the dressing have to be made separately? 
There is some truth to dressings being able to be completely mixed well and added to the noodles as a source of keeping all the ingredients evenly matched. But personally I put all ingredients into one easy bowl, mix well, and am done. This keeps you from too many dishes and as long as you stir well, its really the same thing. 
Do I use miracle whip or mayo? 
This is one recipe argument we get in our house. Half the family likes miracle whip, the other half mayo…and the side that likes mayo argues over Hellmann’s versus Dukes. Mayo is a personal choice and you can use either one. 
How long does Amish Macaroni Salad last? 
This salad should last 3 days in a tightly sealed container. The boiled eggs on top should also last just fine. If the salad is dry, make a bit of extra dressing and re-add, stir and serve first. 
How to keep pasta from sticking
Many people love to make pasta ahead when prepping for a holiday that includes macaroni and pasta salads. Once noodles are drained, immediately rinse with cold water. This helps prevent sticking, overcooking and stops unnecessary clumps of macaroni noodles.
Can I cut out the sugar?
It is totally fine to leave out the added sugar or cut back on the amount of sugar. One way to enjoy the sweet with out so much sugar is to substitute for Dijon Mustard.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 434mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g

Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
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4.62 from 18 votes

Trisha Haas is a home cook and mom who believes side dishes are the stars of any meal. On Salty Side Dish, she shares easy, family-friendly recipes that elevate everyday dinners. From quick sides to holiday favorites, Trisha’s blog is a go-to for families looking to add something special to their plates.

4.62 from 18 votes (17 ratings without comment)

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3 Comments

  1. Love this Amish Macaroni Salad. Been making it about 4 yrs now. Yummy.. 😃

    Reply

  2. This is my go to Pa Dutch macaroni salad recipe. It’s always a hit. I use half mayo, half miracle whip. It’s perfect.

    Reply
    1. Trisha Haas says:

      Thanks Jody! I am so glad its a hit for you. Happy Thanksgiving!