Amish Macaroni Salad: Pure Joy

You know, there’s just something magical about a picnic or a backyard BBQ where the star sides are as comforting and delicious as the main event. And if you’re looking for that perfect, crowd-pleasing dish, you absolutely *have* to try making this amish macaroni salad. It’s one of those old-fashioned recipes that just brings people together, a total potluck winner every single time. For me, cooking is all about finding that joy in simple, shared moments, and this salad totally captures that spirit. It’s wonderfully budget-friendly, can be made a day ahead (hello, stress-free entertaining!), and that classic sweet-tangy flavor, especially with those tender chunks of hard-boiled egg, is just pure comfort food bliss.

Why You’ll Love This Amish Macaroni Salad

This amish macaroni salad is seriously a winner, and here’s why folks always ask for the recipe:

• Super Easy to Make: Honestly, this recipe is a breeze. You can whip it up in no time!
• Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: The blend of sweet and tangy flavors with creamy hard-boiled eggs is just irresistible for everyone.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prep it the day before your BBQ or potluck and let those flavors meld. It’s so convenient!
• Budget-Friendly Bliss: Uses simple, everyday ingredients that won’t break the bank.
• The Perfect Potluck Salad: It travels like a dream and is always one of the first dishes to disappear.
• Classic Comfort Food: It’s that nostalgic, old-fashioned macaroni salad that tastes just like grandma used to make.

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Gather Your Ingredients for Authentic Amish Macaroni Salad

Alright, let’s get everything ready for this fantastic amish macaroni salad! You’ll find these ingredients are pretty straightforward, the kind of stuff you probably already have hiding in your pantry.

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
• 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Crafting the Perfect Amish Macaroni Salad: Step-by-Step

Okay, now for the good part – actually making this deliciousness! It’s pretty simple, really. Just follow along, and you’ll have a fantastic amish macaroni salad that’ll be the talk of the next potluck. It’s all about getting the little things right, which makes a huge difference.

Cooking the Macaroni for Your Amish Macaroni Salad

First things first, get that macaroni cooked! Follow the package directions, but be sure not to overcook it. We want it nice and tender, not mushy. Once it’s done, drain it really well and give it a quick rinse with cold water. This stops the cooking and keeps the pasta from sticking together later.

Creating the Creamy Dressing

Now, let’s whip up the star of the show – that creamy, tangy dressing! Grab a big bowl and just whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, salt, and pepper. Keep whisking until it’s all smooth and beautifully combined. It should look perfectly creamy and ready to coat all that pasta.

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Combining and Chilling Your Amish Macaroni Salad

Time to bring it all together! Gently add your cooled macaroni, chopped hard-boiled eggs, celery, onion, and fresh parsley right into that big bowl of dressing. Stir it all up really carefully. You want to make sure everything is coated evenly, but you don’t want to mash those eggs or pasta. The most important part? Cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour. This lets all those amazing flavors really meld together and makes the salad taste even better!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Amish Macaroni Salad

You know, sometimes folks have questions about the ingredients, and that’s totally okay! It’s your kitchen, your rules, or at least that’s how I see it. For this amish macaroni salad, the apple cider vinegar is key for that signature tang that balances out the creaminess. If you happen to only have white vinegar, it’ll work in a pinch, but the apple cider really adds something special. Now, if you’re watching the sugar, which I totally get, you can absolutely cut it back. My mom sometimes uses just 2 tablespoons instead of 1/4 cup, and it’s still lovely and tangy, just a little less sweet. And for the relish, sweet pickle relish is the way to go here; it adds a little texture and that classic sweet pickle flavor that just belongs.

Tips for Success with Your Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad

Making a truly spectacular old fashioned macaroni salad is all about a few little tricks I’ve picked up over the years. First off, definitely give it that crucial chilling time! Seriously, don’t skip the hour in the fridge. It’s not just about making sure it’s cold, but it really lets all those amazing dressing flavors sink into the pasta and mingle with the eggs and veggies.

Another thing? Taste as you go! Before you chill it, give it a little taste, and don’t be afraid to add a tiny bit more salt, pepper, or even a splash more vinegar if it needs it. Everyone’s palate is a little different, you know? If you’re feeling adventurous, sometimes I’ll toss in some finely chopped dill pickles or even a little diced bell pepper for an extra crunch. It’s those little touches that make it your own perfect potluck salad!

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Serving and Storing Your Make Ahead Salad

This amish macaroni salad is honestly at its absolute best when it’s nice and cold, straight from the fridge. It really lets those flavors chill out and mingle. Since it’s a make-ahead dream, it’s perfect for prepping the day before a big cookout or church supper. Just keep it covered tightly in the refrigerator. Leftovers? They’ll keep for about 3-4 days, tasting just as good, maybe even better!

Frequently Asked Questions about Amish Macaroni Salad

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Understanding the Nutritional Value of this Sweet Tangy Pasta Salad

Hey there! So, you’re probably wondering about the nutritional details for this yummy sweet tangy pasta salad. It’s awesome that you’re thinking about that! Just so you know, the nutritional info you might see is always an estimate, and it can really change depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use, or if you tweak things a bit (which is totally fine!). Because of that, I don’t provide exact nutritional data for this recipe, but I hope you still enjoy every delicious bite!

Share Your Pure Cooking Joy!

I just love hearing about your cooking adventures! Did you make this amish macaroni salad? Let me know how it turned out in the comments below, or maybe even rate it! And if you share pictures on social media, tag me so I can see your amazing creation!

Amish Macaroni Salad

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A classic sweet and tangy Amish macaroni salad, perfect for picnics and potlucks. This recipe is easy to make ahead and features a creamy dressing with hard-boiled eggs.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 10 min
• Total Time: 30 min
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: No Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
3. Add the cooked macaroni, chopped hard-boiled eggs, celery, onion, and parsley to the dressing.
4. Stir gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated.
5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

• For a less sweet salad, reduce the sugar to 2 tablespoons.
• You can add other ingredients like chopped pickles or bell peppers if desired.
• This salad is best served chilled.
• This recipe is a great option for meal planning.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 70mg