Description

Amish Macaroni Salad is a classic, creamy, and tangy side dish featuring tender elbow macaroni mixed with a mayo-based dressing, fresh crunchy vegetables, and optional hard-boiled eggs. Perfect for picnics, family gatherings, or as a versatile side, it combines a delightful balance of sweetness, tanginess, and crisp textures that improve when chilled, making it an easy, make-ahead crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

2 cups elbow macaroni

Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Vegetables

1 cup celery, finely diced
1/2 cup green bell pepper, finely diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

Optional

2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until just tender but still firm, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta for the salad.
Prepare the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, white vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. The balance of tangy and sweet here is crucial to nailing the authentic Amish Macaroni Salad flavor.
Chop the Vegetables: Finely dice celery, green bell pepper, and red onion into small uniform pieces. If using hard-boiled eggs, chop them as well to add creaminess and bite.
Combine All Ingredients: Gently fold the cooked pasta and chopped vegetables into the dressing. Mix thoroughly so every noodle is coated, but be careful not to mash the veggies or eggs.
Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the Amish Macaroni Salad for at least two hours before serving to allow the flavors to blend and the salad to chill perfectly.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente to prevent a mushy texture.
Rinse pasta thoroughly with cold water to keep the salad fresh and avoid soggy dressing.
Season gradually by adding salt, pepper, and sugar to taste.
Chill the salad for several hours or overnight for best flavor development.
Use fresh vegetables for vibrant color and crisp texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 290
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 350mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 18g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 1.5g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: Amish Macaroni Salad, creamy macaroni salad, tangy macaroni salad, potluck side dish, picnic salad, mayo-based pasta salad