A Delicious Twist on a Classic: Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe (2024)

Published: · Updated: by Kevin Williams | 8 Comments

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If you're a fan of classic macaroni salad, get ready to be charmed by this mouth-melting twist on a beloved summer staple. Introducing the Amish macaroni salad recipe - a dish that's bursting with flavors and textures that are sure to leave your taste buds dancing.

Jump to:
  • 📜 My Amish Mac Salad History
  • 🥗 What is "Amish Macaroni Salad?"
  • 🥣 What Foods Pair Well With Amish Macaroni Salad?
  • 🙋 FAQ Amish Macaroni Salad
  • 🖨️ Full Recipe

A Delicious Twist on a Classic: Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe (1)

This recipe takes the traditional macaroni salad to the next level by blending the simple, just-right touches of an age-old Amish recipe. The result is a creamy and tangy salad that's perfect for any occasion, whether you're hosting a summer BBQ or simply looking for a hearty side dish for your next meal. So, get ready to take a delicious journey with us as we explore the Amish macaroni salad recipe and all of its tasty secrets.

📜 My Amish Mac Salad History

I worked with Kroger back in the early 2000s to create an Amish-style mac salad. We produced several prototypes: potato salad, mac, slaw, but their mac salad creation was my favorite. They used this recipe and I love this classic Amish macaroni salad because it offers a bit of everything flavorwise: tang, crunch, sweetness. It's perfect (in my opinion).

The salads were made by a Kroger-owned commissary and Kroger even paid for the packaging, a sleek Amish Cook lid with the salads to be sold in small plastic tubs. The salads would be made at their commissary in Greensburg, Indiana and Amish Cook salads would soon be sold in Kroger stores all over the Midwest.

But it was not to be....and, you know, looking back at it I'm still not sure what happened. I mean, Kroger spent what had to be a fair amount of money on the packaging, their commissary tested the recipes and did a dynamite job with the recipes. The problem with projects like that that are being done by such a large organization is that you (in this case me) gradually lose control and depend on other people to finish the job and it just didn't happen. If memory serves me right, it just bogged down in a bunch of bureaucratic intertia and just ultimately got shelved.

In retrospect, I wish I had done more to ensure that the people did what they were supposed to do to get the product to market. But I was still very young at that time, probably in my late 20s, and I just don't think I knew how to work with a sprawling company like Kroger. Maybe if the project were repeated today, we'd get somewhere...hmmmmm...tempting to make a call or two.....Anyway, Kroger did a great job at making the salads.

🥗 What is "Amish Macaroni Salad?"

A lot of stores sell Amish macaroni salad. The Amish macaroni salad sold at Walmart is popular.

A Delicious Twist on a Classic: Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe (2)

Amish macaroni salad is a classic American side dish that is often served at picnics, potlucks, and other gatherings. It is made with cooked macaroni, hard-boiled eggs, vegetables, and a creamy dressing. This particular recipe calls for "salad dressing" which would be mayo or Miracle Whip. I would use Miracle Whip because the salad is supposed to be a sweeter version, but if you want to temper the sweet a bit, use mayo. Amish macaroni salad is a versatile dish that can be customized to your own taste. You can add or omit ingredients as you like.

🥣 What Foods Pair Well With Amish Macaroni Salad?

My answer: everything!

Seriously, it is a super side dish that you can't go wrong with. Since this salad is a little sweeter, savory stuff is a good balance. But here are some suggestions:

  • Grilled chicken or burgers
  • Hot dogs
  • Fish
  • Pulled pork
  • Steak
  • Ham sandwiches
A Delicious Twist on a Classic: Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe (3)

Amish macaroni salad is also a great dish to bring to a potluck or picnic. It is easy to make and transport, and it is sure to please a crowd.

Here are some additional tips for pairing Amish macaroni salad with other foods:

  • Consider the flavors of the other foods you are serving. Amish macaroni salad is a creamy dish with a slightly sweet flavor. Pair it with foods that have complementary flavors, such as grilled chicken or burgers.
  • Think about the texture of the other foods you are serving. Amish macaroni salad is a soft and creamy dish. Pair it with foods that have different textures, such as crunchy vegetables or a crispy salad.
  • Consider the occasion. If you are serving Amish macaroni salad at a formal event, you may want to pair it with more elegant foods, such as grilled salmon or roasted chicken. If you are serving it at a casual event, you can pair it with more casual foods, such as hot dogs or hamburgers.

🙋 FAQ Amish Macaroni Salad

Can you use another pasta in place of macaroni in macaroni salad?

Yes! Of course, then you have to call it Amish Rotini Salad or Amish Penne Salad, but it will work just fine. Spaghetti might be a little messy and harder to coat with the dressing.

Can a sugar substitute be used in Amish Macaroni Salad?

Yes, powdered substitutes like Splenda can be swapped for the sugar. Another option is to just cut back the amount of sugar in the recipe for a less sweet salad.

When do the Amish eat macaroni salad?

It is often served at picnics and potlucks, or barn-raisings. A great for summer lunches!

🖨️ Full Recipe

A Delicious Twist on a Classic: Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe (4)

Amish Macaroni Salad

A sweet twist on a summer classic, Amish mac salads tend towards sweet and simple.

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Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups uncooked macaroni
  • 3 hard-boiled eggs
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • ¼ cup chopped onion
  • 1 /4 cup salad dressing
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 /4 cup white vinegar
  • ¼ cup sugar

Instructions

  • Cook and drain macaroni.

  • Cool.

  • Add eggs, celery, and onion.

  • Mix salad dressing, mustard, vinegar, and sugar thoroughly, then add to macaroni mixture. Chill and serve.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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More Amish Main Dishes

  • Hearty Amish Winter Sausage and Potato Casserole
  • Lydia Miller's Amish Leftover Turkey Casserole
  • Amish Blue Cheese Baked Sweet Potatoes
  • Here Are 11 Amazing Amish Recipes Using Wonderful Rice!
A Delicious Twist on a Classic: Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe (9)

About Kevin Williams

Hi, my name is Kevin Williams and I am owner of Oasis Newsfeatures and editor of The Amish Cook newspaper column.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ms. Catherine Melba Alston Hardy

    I like

    Reply

  2. Linda Smith

    Thank you for your site!

    Reply

    • Kevin Williams

      Thank you for coming to the site!

      Reply

  3. Linda Smith

    I am 73 and really enjoy seeing plain and simple recipes.

    Reply

  4. Earl

    What type salad dressing is used for this recipe?

    Reply

    • Kevin Williams

      Miracle Whip if you want a sweeter salad, mayo if you want a less sweet salad!

      Reply

  5. Marie Mangus

    I love Picalilly and had to order it immediately, so hard to find in our part of Michigan (had to add Turkey Jerkey for our fur baby also). Enjoy your column and your perspective on various topics. Thank you Kevin.

    Reply

    • Kevin Williams

      Thanks, Marie, I hope you like the Picalilly!

      Reply

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A Delicious Twist on a Classic: Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the five mistakes to avoid pasta salad? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Pasta Salad
  • Using the wrong pasta. The wrong pasta type or size can make pasta salad soggy, slimy, or just plain hard to eat. ...
  • Salting only once, at the end. ...
  • Too many raw ingredients! ...
  • Overdressing or underdressing the salad. ...
  • Not seasoning again just before serving.

What gives macaroni salad an aftertaste? ›

Vinegar and other acidic ingredients do strange things to the flavor of pasta when used in salad-level amounts. Ever notice an irritating acerbic aftertaste just about every time you've eaten pasta salad? That's the vinegar announcing itself, and it's not pleasant.

How do you cut the vinegar taste in macaroni salad? ›

The addition of a sweet element should be enough to neutralize the extra vinegar, but if the flavor is still off, Taste of Home recommends using baking soda. Baking soda has the effect of making vinegar more alkaline, and all you need is a pinch of it — too much of it will contribute to an unpleasant taste.

What is in Walmart deli macaroni salad? ›

INGREDIENTS: Cooked Enriched Macaroni (Semolina Egg Whites, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Mayonnaise (Soybean Oil Water, Egg Yolks, Vinegar, Salt), Water, Sugar Sour Cream (Milk, Cream, Whey, Modified Cornstarch, Guar Gum, Sodium Phosphate, Locust Bean Gum, Sodium Citrate, Carrageenan, ...

Do you rinse macaroni for salad? ›

When you're making cold pasta salads, it's helpful to rinse your cooked pasta because it's going to lower the temperature of the pasta, which is ideal given that it's going to be served chilled — often alongside other cool and/or raw ingredients.

Should you let pasta cool before making pasta salad? ›

My Best Pasta Salad Tips

I find that the higher time range listed on box instructions is usually just about right for pasta salad. Let your pasta cool completely before tossing it with the other ingredients. If it's still warm, the hot pasta will start to cook and wilt the veggies.

Why does my macaroni salad get dry? ›

The key to keeping macaroni salad from drying out is the pasta. If you don't cook it enough, the pasta won't grab on to the dressing and will dry out. If you overcook the pasta, it will be completely soggy and gross. Cook the pasta just right, and your macaroni salad will stay perfectly creamy.

What is the best olive oil for pasta salad? ›

The best olive oil for salads is the extra virgin olive oil. It is the olive oil with most flavored and fruity of all of them. But of course, there are many varieties of extra virgin olive oils, each of which have their own characteristics.

Why is my macaroni salad bland? ›

The last thing you want is a bland pasta salad. To make sure your pasta salad is well-seasoned and flavorful, it's best to start seasoning early. The best time to do this is right out of the gate when you're cooking the pasta. Use extra-salted water and the pasta will be well-seasoned by the time it's cooked.

What makes macaroni taste better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

How do you take the bitterness out of macaroni salad? ›

Try a pinch of baking soda.

Baking soda is very alkaline, which is a good way to correct overly bitter dishes. Sprinkle just a pinch into your food and mix it in well to see if that helps. This is a good trick for if you're cooking and realize that you added too much of a bitter ingredient.

Why add vinegar to macaroni salad? ›

As the pasta cools, the vinegar will soak in and every noodle will burst with bright tanginess. After dressing it, you'll get a snap of acid and tons of flavor in every spoonful. You can use this trick on any creamy macaroni salad recipe—just one try will make you a believer.

What causes macaroni salad to get watery? ›

If your leftovers seem a bit dry after a day or two, simply stir in a little more dressing or mayo to liven them back up! Why is my macaroni salad runny? There are usually two culprits — not draining off wet ingredients and/or adding too many watery vegetables.

Why does my macaroni salad get sticky? ›

Cool your pasta before adding the dressing.

Quickly cooling the pasta will prevent it from getting sticky and/or mushy. To prevent the pasta from absorbing all the dressing (which will make it mushy), cool the pasta completely before adding the dressing and other ingredients.

What is amish potato salad made of? ›

This Amish Potato Salad starts off with a sweet, creamy dressing that gets drizzled over all the potato salad classics – celery, boiled eggs, onions, and sweet pickle relish. This is a great summer side dish and a nice change from the usual. That sweet dressing is a bit different, but oh so good!

What is macaroni salad made of? ›

These are the ingredients you'll need to make this macaroni salad recipe: Macaroni: Of course, you'll need macaroni noodles! Condiments: A creamy blend of mayonnaise and yellow mustard adds tons of flavor. Sugar and vinegar: White sugar adds a dose of sweetness, which is pleasantly balanced by white vinegar.

How many calories are in Amish Mac salad? ›

Walmart Deli Amish Macaroni Salad, 32 oz:

Contains 310 calories per serving. Ideal source of protein. Walmart pasta salad is packaged in a convenient plastic container.

What culture is macaroni salad from? ›

Macaroni salad, on the other hand, is an American creation, and it may be a dish that Italians wince at. Elbow macaroni became popular during the 1900s in America. Although the exact origins of macaroni salad are unknown, published recipes for it can be found as early as 1914 (via Dagostino Pasta).

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