Description

This Sweet Amish Macaroni Salad is a classic, creamy pasta salad combining tender elbow macaroni with a sweet and tangy dressing. Crisp diced vegetables and optional shredded carrots and sweet pickle relish add delightful texture and flavor. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a side dish, this salad is easy to prepare and best served chilled to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

2 cups elbow macaroni (or any small pasta)

Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Vegetables and Add-ins

1/2 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup shredded carrots (optional)
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until tender. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool the pasta rapidly. Allow it to drain completely to prevent watery salad.
Prepare the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, sugar, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Combine pasta and dressing: Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing, stirring gently until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
Add vegetables and mix: Gently fold in the diced celery, red bell pepper, finely chopped onion, and, if desired, shredded carrots and sweet pickle relish. Mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the salad.
Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 1 to 2 hours. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the salad to become nicely chilled.
Final touch and serve: Before serving, give the salad a good stir. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding a little more salt or sugar if preferred. Serve cold for the best flavor.

Notes

The shredded carrots and sweet pickle relish are optional but add nice texture and a touch of sweetness.
For best results, chill the salad for at least 1 to 2 hours before serving.
You can substitute the elbow macaroni with any small pasta shape like shells or rotini.
This salad can be prepared a day ahead and kept refrigerated, which enhances the flavor.
Adjust the sugar level based on your sweetness preference.