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

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  • Lydia Miller's Amish Leftover Turkey Casserole
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  • 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

How many calories are in Amish macaroni salad? ›

Walmart Deli Amish Macaroni Salad, 32 oz:

Always fresh. Contains 310 calories per serving.

How do you cut the sweetness in macaroni salad? ›

Balance Out the Flavors

If your dish is a little too sweet, try rounding out the sweetness by adding flavors or ingredients that are sour, bitter, or spicy. It may be obvious not to add more sweet ingredients, but you should also stay away from salty ones since they actually bring out the sweetness in food.

Who came up with the idea of macaroni salad? ›

No one's really sure who first came up with the idea, but we don't think it's a coincidence that just a few decades earlier in the late 19th century, immigrants from Germany propagated mayo- and mustard-dressed potato salads throughout the country.

Why macaroni salad is good for you? ›

The macaroni provides carbohydrates for energy, while the hearts of palm, celery, bell pepper, red onion, and olives add fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The white beans, lentils, or edamame provide protein and more fiber.

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, ...

How many carbs are in 1 cup of homemade macaroni salad? ›

Macaroni or pasta salad, with cheese, egg, mayo dressing (1 cup) contains 32.9g total carbs, 29.6g net carbs, 29.4g fat, 15.4g protein, and 457 calories.

Which has less calories potato salad or macaroni salad? ›

Although classic potato salad is usually lower in calories than pasta salad (about 360 per cup), the mayonnaise keeps the saturated-fat content high (it typically has 17 grams of fat and 3 grams of saturated fat). But potato salad has one advantage over pasta salad-it's almost all vegetable.

How much sodium is in Amish potato salad? ›

Per 1/2 Cup: 280 calories; 3 g sat fat (15% DV); 530 mg sodium (23% DV); 10 g total sugars.

Why does my macaroni salad taste bland? ›

Making sure the water is salty enough ensures the macaroni is seasoned through (even after rinsing in cold water) and the salad will not be bland. 2. The noodles weren't sufficiently drained. Let the macaroni drain completely in a colander to ensure the sauce isn't diluted with water.

Do you rinse pasta for macaroni salad? ›

Rinsing your pasta also stops the cooking process, which will ensure that your pasta isn't overcooked and mushy. By washing away the starchy film on the pasta, you're guaranteeing that when you toss the pasta with your other salad components and dressing, the pasta won't stick together or clump.

What's the difference between macaroni salad and pasta salad? ›

The main difference between the two is in the way they are dressed. Macaroni salad is usually dressed with mayonnaise, while pasta salad is usually dressed with vinaigrette. Macaroni salad is considered a type of pasta salad. In the U.S., Macaroni salad is traditionally made using elbow macaroni.

Do you eat macaroni salad cold? ›

Macaroni salad is a type of pasta salad, served cold, made with cooked elbow macaroni and usually prepared with mayonnaise. Much like potato salad or coleslaw in its use, it is often served as a side dish to barbecue, fried chicken, or other picnic style dishes.

What is Amish cheese made of? ›

Good quality butter cheese is made from milk collected from cows that are not on artificial hormones. The Amish process of cheese-making does not include any artificial flavors, ingredients or preservatives, which gives the cheese real quality.

What is macaroni salad made of? ›

Mix mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, and macaroni together in a large bowl. Stir in celery, onion, green pepper, carrot, and pimentos. Refrigerate salad for at least 4 hours before serving, but preferably overnight.

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 are Amish noodles made of? ›

It requires only three staple ingredients: eggs, flour, and salt plus a little water. It takes about 20 minutes of hands on time to whip up a batch of noodles, but I'm sure with practice, you could probably make them even faster.

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