Amish Macaroni Salad – Plain Chicken

Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe—the perfect side dish for any occasion! This classic salad blends tender macaroni with a creamy, slightly sweet dressing, enhanced by celery, onions, red bell peppers, and sweet pickle relish for a delightful crunch and flavor burst. It’s a must for picnics, potlucks, or a family barbecue.

Easy Pasta Salad Recipe

This Amish Macaroni Salad is a new favorite at our house. Effortless to make and bursting with flavor! Tender pasta, crunchy veggies, and hard boiled eggs tossed in a creamy salad dressing. This is my go-to recipe for potlucks and picnics. I never have any leftovers! Make this the next time you need a quick and easy side dish. It is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

How to Make Amish Macaroni Salad

This side dish is super easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add elbow macaroni noodles and cook according to the package directions for al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, whisk together Miracle Whip salad dressing, white sugar, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, and celery seed. Add chopped celery, onion, red pepper, hard boiled egg, and cooled pasta to the bowl. Stir to combine. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

• You can use any pasta shape you prefer in this dish. Bowtie pasta, fusilli, rotini, and elbow macaroni all work fine.
• I use Miracle Whip in the dressing. You can substitute mayonnaise.
• Add diced ham to make this a main dish!
• Can I make Amish Macaroni Salad ahead of time? Yes! This is a great make-ahead dish.
  • If you are making this more than a few hours in advance,  reserve one-third of the dressing to mix in right before serving to keep the pasta creamy. Like many other macaroni salad recipes, the pasta in Amish macaroni salad tends to soak up some of the dressing over time. 
• You can substitute white vinegar for apple cider vinegar.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

What to Serve with Amish Macaroni Salad

This classic macaroni salad pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes, making it a versatile side for any meal. 

• It’s especially wonderful alongside classic barbecue fare like grilled chicken, ribs, or burgers, where its creamy, tangy flavor complements the smoky notes of the meat. 
• For a lighter meal, serve it with a selection of deli sandwiches or wraps, offering a delightful contrast to both meaty and vegetarian fillings.  
• For a lighter option, consider serving it with a platter of grilled vegetables or a fresh green salad to add brightness and crunch. 
• It also fits in seamlessly at a potluck spread, matching well with other picnic staples like fried chicken, sandwiches, or hot dogs. 

Whether it’s a casual outdoor gathering or a cozy family dinner, this pasta salad enhances any meal with its distinctive, creamy flavor. Looking for more recipes to serve alongside this dish? Here are some popular recipes from the website:

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Amish Macaroni Salad

Yield: 8 people

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe – the perfect side dish for any occasion! This classic salad blends tender macaroni with a creamy, slightly sweet dressing, enhanced by celery, onions, red bell peppers, and sweet pickle relish for a delightful crunch and flavor burst. A must for picnics, potlucks, or a family barbecue.

• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 2 cups Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
• ¾ cup sugar
• 3 Tbsp sweet pickle relish
• 3 Tbsp yellow mustard
• 2¼ tsp apple cider vinegar
• ¾ tsp celery seed
• ¼ tsp salt
• 3 celery ribs chopped
• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 1 medium red pepper chopped
• 3 large hard-boiled eggs chopped

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add elbow macaroni noodles and cook according to the package directions for al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside to cool.

• In a large bowl, whisk together Miracle Whip salad dressing, white sugar, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, and celery seed.

• Add chopped celery, onion, red pepper, hard boiled egg, and cooled pasta to the bowl. Stir to combine. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

• Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

• You can use any pasta shape you prefer in this dish. Bowtie pasta, fusilli, rotini, and elbow macaroni all work fine.
• I use Miracle Whip in the dressing. You can substitute mayonnaise.
• Add diced ham to make this a meal!
• Can I make Amish Macaroni Salad ahead of time? Yes! This is a great make-ahead dish. 
  • If you are making this more than a few hours in advance,  reserve one-third of the dressing to mix in right before serving to keep the pasta creamy. Like many other macaroni salad recipes, the pasta in Amish macaroni salad tends to soak up some of the dressing over time. 
• You can substitute white vinegar for apple cider vinegar.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

Steph