Amish Macaroni Salad
No picnic is complete without this sweet and creamy Amish Macaroni Salad! This Pennsylvanian Dutch recipe is better than Walmart’s Amish Macaroni Salad with a tangy dressing made of mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, and smoked paprika.
Even when I was at Kate Voegele’s concert, her opening act was amazed she saw Amish people.
Pittsburgh’s side of the state isn’t really Amish country; it’s more towards the Lancaster area.
However, I have seen Pennsylvania Dutch near where I went to college and at the zoo on the carousel.
If there is one thing I’m glad they invented, it’s their food, including their Amish Potato Salad and Amish Macaroni Salad.
Amish macaroni salad? What is that, you ask.
I have grown up eating this from the Walmart deli. Yes, I said Walmart deli. I have no clue if it’s only PA Walmarts or if all Walmarts sell it, but their macaroni salad is based off of an Amish recipe.
Now I make my own Amish macaroni salad recipe, which is really easy to do. Cook the pasta, whisk together the dressing, toss, and done.
And since typically macaroni salad makes tons of serving, I made small batch pasta salad, which makes about 4 servings or so.
What is Amish Macaroni Salad?
The difference between Amish macaroni salad and regular macaroni salad is in the dressing.
Both versions use cooked pasta, hard boiled eggs, and a creamy mayonnaise dressing.
However, Amish macaroni salad has a sweet and tangy dressing thanks to the yellow mustard and vinegar added to it.
Ingredients For Amish Macaroni Salad
The ingredients for this Amish Macaroni Salad recipe are:
- Elbow macaroni: Macaroni is most often used because its shape holds the dressing perfectly. You can also use farfalle (bow tie pasta).
- Mayonnaise: Use real mayo for best results but if you prefer to use Miracle Whip, read below on how to adjust for that.
- Sugar: Some people think the sweetness is the correct amount while others said to cut back next time. It really comes down to how sweet your mayo (or Miracle Whip) is.
- Yellow mustard: What makes Amish macaroni salad special is its use of acidic yellow mustard, which helps cut through the fat.
- Vinegar: Helps balance the richness of the pasta salad
- Paprika: Adds a bit of a smoky kick plus some color
- Hard boiled eggs: Adds some protein. Learn how to make hard boiled eggs
- Carrot: Adds both color and crunch
- Bell pepper: Traditionally most macaroni salads use celery. I personally don’t like celery, so I opted for bell pepper instead.
- Onion: Adds a bit of a bite to your macaroni salad to balance out the sweetness
Can I substitute Miracle Whip for mayonnaise?
Miracle Whip is different than mayo because it has less vegetable oil and isn’t qualified to be called mayonnaise (hence it’s called salad dressing).
This recipe has been developed using real mayo which has a different (better) taste. It’s also not as sweet, which affects the amount of sugar used.
You can certainly substitute Miracle Whip, but you will need to taste and adjust the dressing accordingly, likely less sugar.
How To Make Amish Macaroni Salad
Making the best Amish Macaroni Salad is easy! First, start boiling your water for the pasta.
I personally don’t salt the water until after it boils and before adding the pasta. That’s because if you salt it first then get distracted, the water will reduce and become too salty.
While you wait for the water, to boil, whisk together the dressing and prep the vegetables. By the time the pasta is finished, everything is ready to assemble.
This is also the perfect recipe to use up those hard boiled eggs you may have leftover from your Easter dinner for two.
Make sure you leave enough time to chill! Refrigerate it for at least 24 hours to allow the flavors to develop. However, if you’re in a hurry to serve, chill for at least 1 hour minimum.
Store leftover macaroni salad in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
How To Keep Pasta Salad From Sticking
Typically when you drain pasta, you don’t rinse it because you’re serving it hot. Cold water would bring the temperature down, and you certainly don’t want to eat cold noodles for dinner.
However, you definitely want to rinse it under cold water when making pasta salad because you’re intentionally serving it cold.
Not only does this stop the cooking process, it helps keep the pasta from sticking together because it washes the starches away. When left unrinsed, the starch causes the pasta to clump together.
How do I keep Amish macaroni salad from drying out?
Ever make pasta salad, only to have it absorb all of the mayonnaise and leave you with dry pasta salad?
You want to make sure the pasta is completely dry after draining and rinsing it. If there’s water left on the noodles, the dressing won’t coat it and instead get diluted and absorbed.
If you want to ensure a foolproof creamy macaroni salad, you can use the same method I do for my Caesar Pasta Salad.
Toss the pasta with half of the dressing then chill as directed. Right before serving, stir in the remaining half of the dressing.
Although it’s not a necessary step, it guarantees at least half of the dressing won’t be absorbed.
Storing your Amish macaroni salad in an airtight container also helps keep it from drying out in the fridge.
What Can I Serve With Macaroni Salad?
Getting ready to plan a cook out or a picnic? Here are more recipes you can serve with macaroni salad:
- Italian Potato Salad – Every picnic I’ve been to always has both macaroni and potato salad. This potato salad is an eggless potato salad made without mayo.
- Avocado Burgers – Another burger recipe inspired by California flavors
- BBQ Bacon Burgers – A sweet and tangy cheeseburger with bacon, onion rings, and BBQ sauce.
- Pesto Burgers – A refreshing turkey burger with basil, mozzarella, and tomato.
- Teriyaki Turkey Burgers – A sweet and savory turkey burger with pineapple
Amish Macaroni Salad
No picnic is complete without this sweet and creamy Amish Macaroni Salad! This Pennsylvanian Dutch recipe is better than Walmart’s Amish Macaroni Salad with a tangy dressing made of mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, and smoked paprika.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound (8 ounces) uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 cup mayonnaise* (see Note about using Miracle Whip)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 hard boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 large carrot, peeled and grated
- 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper or celery
- 1/4 cup diced white or yellow onion
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add a big handful of salt then add macaroni. Cook as directed on the package until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain into a colander and rinse with cold water. Let dry completely.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, mustard, vinegar, paprika, and salt.
- Add the cooked macaroni to a large bowl. Stir in the eggs, carrots, green pepper, onion, and dressing.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or until cold (24 hours is preferred to allow the flavors to develop).
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days.
Notes
- This recipe has been developed with mayonnaise, which has a different taste than Miracle Whip. If you do substitute Miracle Whip, you may need to adjust the other ingredients accordingly.
- Enjoyed this recipe? Check out my Amish Potato Salad and Caesar Pasta Salad.
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I'm not a mayo fan either, especially not miracle whip. I find it too tangy. I think Hellman`s is a little better, but still.. mayo freaks me out almost in the same way that shortening does! I think I might not mind it as much with the mustard though.
Carla, I know we have many things in common, including being really good looking and loving football… but I am so happy I found a fellow anti-mayo fan. Thank you for being normal, and not giving in to the weird white goop.
I love having mustard in the salads. Down here, they put it in the potato salad too, which gives it a nice zing. You should try that too.
MMmm. Sounds absolutely yummy! I love the PA Dutch, I was out at the farmer's market in Princeton this morning. I actually picked up their mac salad for lunch tomorrow. :)
1.) The mayo vs miracle whip thing-miracle whip is actually sweeter than mayo. I don't like miracle whip on most things, I prefer mayo. I prefer the sweetness to be in my desserts. 8-)
2.) The kitchen lighting is so dim there, you should take more pix in YOUR room! ;)
<3
Just a heads-up for those of you who have Miracle Whip in your frig, but no mayo. To give your dish a “mayo” taste, add lemon juice! Do it by taste! I’m single, so unless I make for a get-together, I make small amounts at a time – so can’t tell you how much lemon juice!
Oh awesome tip! Love this. Thanks for sharing :)
Mayo and Miracle Whip are VERY different. I hate Micracle Whip, it almost makes me heave. But I can tolerate mayo. It's not my favorite thing (that would be chocolate ;), but I like mayo in salads and even a little smear on a sammie. I always buy light mayo, can't tell a difference, but save on a lot of fat. (Fat free isn't so good.)
Nice salad.
SO true Katrina~
I love me some good mac salad!
So funny story for you. I set up my twitter account so I can tweet from my cell phone. Thought I had it fixed so I would get my twitter replys on my phone. But I dont get anything except your tweets. On vacation, the only time my phone rang was when you tweeted. I think I also got one direct message for you too. Not sure how to fix it but I'm up to date with your tweets! LOL :)
That looks yummy! I'm always looking for a good mac salad recipe.
Even though I abhor mac salad of any kind, the family loves it – and this looks just right for their tastes. Thanks for the link from the mustard recipe!
I find these simple macaroni salads addictive, and even though I grew up on Miracle Whip, I’m now strictly a homemade mayo girl!
Delicious!!!!!!
One word – Veganaise. Delicious, without the heavy fat. Or, make your own soy-based mayo from an online recipe.
Great suggestion for those who want to veganize this.
I tried it, and while it was okay, I’m still a fan of Hawaiian mac salad.
Nice recipe. Thank you. Have a Great Weekend!
This is EXACTLY how my Mom and all of my family has made macaroni salad for generations EXCEPT they also put chopped celery in it. My Mom thought there was no other mayonaise except Hellmans and often just ate a mayo sandwich. I also grew up in Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh and am of German ancestry so my guess is this is an authentic Pa. Dutch (German) recipe.
Yes most people do use celery, but I don’t eat celery so I left it out.
I live in Mississippi and I also happen to LOVE our Wal-Mart’s Macaroni Salad. I think ours is made differently than y’all’s bc ours has celery no paprika and no onion or mustard. I’m sadly like addicted to it. Also, mayo vs Miracle Whip. I grew up on MW and love that tangy kick it has. I can eat plain mayo if it isnt cold or on a plain unhot sandwich. YUCK lol.
Is it just plain macaroni salad or is it labeled Amish? Ours has celery too but I don’t eat celery so I didn’t add any.
Macaroni salad has always been made with Hellmans Mayonnaise in my family. I add sour cream. Also celery and onions and olives and hard boiled eggs chopped. Adding red and green chopped peppers are good too.Green onions add more color and flavor -actually whatever I have on hand is what goes in——- make your salad the day before you want to serve it. Just give it a nice mix up again just before presenting-
Oh I know someone else who adds olives! Definitely not something you see everyday. Thanks for sharing how you make yours :)
for those who don’t like mayo, google a recipe for cooked salad dressing. Usually
There is a addition of extra flour to make thicker salad dressing.
YOU control the ingredients and can come up with your own
recipe. I use it like mayo.
I have never liked pasta salads, but was asked to prepare one for a baby shower. I made the Amish macaroni salad – WOW! It was awesome! I did not add the eggs, added chopped ham instead and smoked gouda cheese and sun dried tomatoes. Just fixed it again for lunches. Big fan!
Mmm I love your additions with the ham, gouda, and tomatoes. I’ll have to try that next time I have some leftover ham.
This is such a Great Basic Recipe, you can change or add almost anything to your liking (even adjust the seasonings)! If I didn’t have time to hard boil eggs, I’ve added tuna or ham instead, for the protein. You can throw in almost any chopped veggie as well…enJOY!
I love mayo and Miracle Whip is NOT mayo. I absolutely cannot tolerate mustard in/on ANYthing, sooo I’m gonna try this with Hellman’s and no mustard :-)
You are welcome to make it according to your tastes, but I will warn you that mustard is what makes this Amish macaroni salad and not regular macaroni salad. You may need to adjust the recipe to make up for one of the missing main ingredients.
I will, one day, make this as per your recipe, for friends and my “old bachelor” neighbors, but considering the added sugar and mustard, I think I’ll take a taste, Just because, but won’t be eating it. I’ll stick to mine – mac – eggs – onions, Hellman’s, celery salt, and just a touch of tiny diced dill pickles. It’s ALWAYS a success with friends and family and I can eat it too. Sometimes I add olives if I have them.
Jeannie, you really don’t taste the mustard in the same way that you would taste it by itself. When it’s combined with the mayo and vinegar it takes on a different flavor.
Mayo vs Miracle Whip? I am one of those people that absolutely loves mayo. I can just make myself a tomato and mayo sandwich and be very happy. I wish I didn’t love mayo. But I do. It’s a bit caloric. Don’t have a problem with fat. I love fat and fat is healthy. You might want to read up on the new research that has been done and there’s no evidence to support that fat causes heart problems, high cholesterol or stroke. Sugar does and Miracle Whip’s number one ingredient is High Fructose Corn syrup which does cause all the above health problems, particularly diabetes, many in young children. I will take mayo over Miracle Whip any day. Fat is caloric but as long as you watch the size of your portions, it will make your food taste so much better than low fat and added sugar.
I can’t wait to try this recipe. Looks similar to an Hawaiian mac salad I made which was delicious. The key to any good cold mac salad is it needs to marry so you have to put it in the refrigerator overnight to get the full flavor coming through by the next day..
Hey Carla, I am from the eastern part of PA (Philly to be exact) and although we will NEVER agree with each others sports preferences (since Philly is sooo much better ; ) However I must admit that this is a damn good mac salad! Seriously people give it a shot and you won’t be disappointed. – Russell
Glad you enjoyed the recipe, despite our differences :P :D
Mom always used Kraft mayo has better texture for salads .We love Hellmans for potato salad because its heavier.
Oh interesting between the two mayos! I never really thought about which brand to use. Thanks for the tip!
Do you have a good and easy recipe for Amish Potato Salad? When my Mother died the recipe went to the Lord with her. The recipe was in her head and always perfect! A pinch of this and a pinch of that. My potatoes always get too mushy when when I try to cube them. Any recipes are Welcome! God bless you???? John
I do! Check out https://www.chocolatemoosey.com/2015/06/15/amish-potato-salad/
Hi, I found your recipe while searching for the wintergardens brand amish macaroni salad. Wintergardens is made in Pa. and sold at my Maryland d walmarts, amongst other stores. I am celiac and love macaroni salad, so I’m hoping to make my own. Do you think this is Wintergardens brand recipe? Thanks so much
I’ve never heard of Wintergardens, so I honestly don’t know. If you do give it a try, let me know how close it is!
Delicious! This is very similar to the one my mom used to make. Thanks for the recipe.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great recipe. I live near Pittsburgh and buy the Amish macaroni salad all the time. Now I can make my own.
Try putting the cooked macaroni on a cookie sheet to cool. I also do this with my potatoes for salad. They dry completely then and don’t becom mushy.
Great idea using the cookie sheet! It also helps them cool faster too.
When I make macaroni salad, I always use Ranch Dressing it gives it a much better taste. If I was to make this, then I would use Ranch Dressing.
I agree ranch dressing does make a good macaroni salad. It certainly wouldn’t be Amish anymore, but still a tasty side dish.
I’m not a macaroni salad fan and I’m really not a mayonnaise fan, but my husband loves macaroni salad. I decided to try this to see if I could find one we both enjoy. This is it! Creamy, sweet and a little tangy. Delicious! I did follow the recipe exactly and use mayo instead of miracle whip. The only substitution I made was using red pepper instead of green, but we think that works, even gives it some beautiful color.
Wonderful! Glad you both enjoyed it.
This is the way we do it in the south only we leave out the sugar . Who wants sweet macaroni salad ! Southern recipe no sugar
Probably what makes this Amish macaroni salad and not Southern macaroni salad ;)
I grew up in the heart of PA Dutch country. I don’t know ANYONE who uses Miracle Whip, except people who were townies. Country folk use Hellman’s or Duke’s real mayonnaise. Most of our recipes were handed down from older relatives.
Yup that’s why I used mayo! However, people do ask about subbing Miracle Whip so I had to address that.
Way too much smoked paprika. The flavor obliterated all else.
Are you sure you added 1 teaspoon and not tablespoon?
How do you adjust the other ingredients if you use Miracle Whip?
Taste and adjust. You can start with a smaller amount of sugar then add more as needed.
Soooo good! Diet changes called for using 1/2 mayo and 1/2 greek yogurt. Along with replacing half the sugar with honey. Now my go to for both mac salad AND potato salad! A huge success!
Glad you were able to make it work for you!
Yum.. just yum! I added a little bit more sugar.. I think I ended up with more macaroni than per scribed.. but it was really good! I miss living in PA.. and have tried other recipes.. yours is the keeper!! Thank you!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is how I have been making mine for years. It’s delicious.
Glad you enjoy it!
Absolutely delicious. I am not a macaroni salad person because always felt it was bland. But decided I would give it a try and found this recipe. I cannot believe how delicious it is. Even my brother who is a bit picky made the comment that it was absolutely perfect and that I nailed it. This is a winner!
Amazing! Thank you so much for the feedback.