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Sweet and Creamy Old Fashioned Amish Macaroni Salad

A close-up of creamy Amish macaroni salad featuring elbow macaroni, red onion, and celery on a white plate.
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This recipe delivers the classic, sweet, and tangy Amish Macaroni Salad that is perfect for potlucks, BBQs, and family gatherings. It features tender pasta coated in a rich, creamy dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
  • 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups mayonnaise (use Miracle Whip for extra tang)
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta completely and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sugar, water, celery seed, dry mustard powder, salt, and pepper until the sugar is dissolved. This creates your tangy dressing base.
  3. Add the mayonnaise (or Miracle Whip) to the dressing mixture and whisk until smooth and creamy. Taste the dressing and adjust sweetness or tanginess if needed.
  4. In a separate large bowl, combine the cooled macaroni, chopped celery, chopped red onion, and sweet pickle relish.
  5. Pour the creamy dressing over the macaroni and vegetable mixture. Gently fold everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
  6. If using, stir in the chopped hard-boiled eggs.
  7. Cover the salad and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling allows the pasta to absorb the sweet and tangy dressing flavors.
  8. Stir the salad again before serving. Add a splash of milk or extra dressing if the salad seems too thick after chilling.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, make this classic deli salad the day before you plan to serve it.
  • If you want a richer, more authentic flavor often found in caterer style macaroni salad, use Miracle Whip instead of standard mayonnaise.
  • This is a great make ahead salad recipe for any summer picnic sides or reunion side dish ideas.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/amish-macaroni-salad-recipe-sweet-creamy/