Amish Macaroni Salad

1. Introduction

Amish Macaroni Salad is a beloved staple of Midwestern and Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine, known for its distinctively sweet and tangy dressing and vibrant, crunchy vegetable mix. Unlike standard macaroni salads that lean heavily on savory mayonnaise, the Amish version balances creamy textures with a sugary-vinegar base and often includes hard-boiled eggs for added richness. This salad is a classic “make-ahead” dish, as it tastes best after several hours of chilling, allowing the elbow macaroni to fully absorb the flavorful dressing.

2. Ingredients

• The Pasta: 1 lb (450g) elbow macaroni, cooked al dente and cooled.

• The Crunch:

  • 1 cup celery, finely diced.

  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped.

  • 1/2 cup green or red bell pepper, diced.

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional for color).

• The Protein: 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped.

• The Sweet & Tangy Dressing:

  • 1 ½ cups mayonnaise.

  • 1/3 cup white sugar.

  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard.

  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar.

• Seasoning: 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp paprika.

• Garnish: Freshly chopped parsley.