Recipe: Amish Macaroni Salad

A familiar favorite that will be a crowd-pleasing addition to your cookout menu!

Sometimes referred to as the start of summer, Memorial Day is just around the corner. While the holiday marks a solemn and important occasion (honoring those who have given their lives for our country’s freedom), we often celebrate with burgers on the grill, gatherings around the pool and maybe even a day at the lake or beach. Whatever your plans are for your Memorial Day menu, this picnic favorite is sure to be a crowd-pleaser! 

I’ve adapted my recipe from one Tracey shared at The Kitchen Is My Playground years ago. Her recipe (and apparently most Amish macaroni salad recipes) features a whole lot of Miracle Whip, but I started using real mayo after years of Miracle Whip a long time ago, and I’ve never looked back. So my recipe differs in that I use mayo (my favorite is Duke’s but you are welcome to use your favorite), less sugar and a smidge of ground mustard along with some prepared mustard. 

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

• 3 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped

• ½ cup finely chopped onion

• 2 stalks of celery, chopped (Feel free to use more or less depending on your preference)

• ½ cup chopped pepper (Tracy called for a red pepper in her recipe, which is nice because it gives a bright pop of color, but use whatever you have on hand!) 

• 2 T pickle relish (I’ll be honest that I’ve completely left this out before because I NEVER have pickle relish on hand)

• 1 ½ cups mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons prepared mustard

• 1 tablespoon ground mustard

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• 1 tablespoon white vinegar

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¾ teaspoon celery seed

Directions

1. Cook the macaroni as directed, then drain and set aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

2. Combine eggs, onion, celery, pepper and relish (if you’re including it). 

3. In a different bowl, mix together the dressing: mayo, mustards, sugar, vinegar, salt and celery seed. 

4. Pour dressing over the egg mixture; add macaroni and stir until combined. It’s OK if the macaroni is a little warm when you add it. It somehow makes the whole thing better, in my opinion! 

5. Cover and chill for at least one hour before serving. Perfect for a cookout or alongside burgers. 

I will say that I had my doubts about this recipe the first time I made it, but it was good. It does make a lot, so be prepared to share! And truly, every time I’ve made this recipe and taken it somewhere, people have raved!