Pour creamy coleslaw dressing and these 3 ingredients over elbow macaroni into a baking pan for an unexpected summer favorite everyone devours

This oven-baked 4-ingredient Amish-style creamy coleslaw macaroni is one of those “dump it in the pan and let the oven do the work” kind of dishes. It takes the tangy sweetness of bottled creamy coleslaw dressing and turns plain elbow macaroni into a surprisingly comforting, slightly old-fashioned side that tastes like something you’d find at a small-town church potluck. You simply pour the dressing and three simple ingredients over dry pasta in a baking pan, stir, and bake until the noodles are tender and coated in a rich, creamy sauce. It’s an easy make-ahead option for summer cookouts when you’d rather be outside with the kids than standing over the stove.

Serve this creamy coleslaw macaroni warm or at room temperature alongside grilled burgers, brats, or barbecue chicken. It’s especially nice with anything smoky or spicy, because the sweet-tangy dressing balances it out. Add a crisp green salad or sliced garden tomatoes with a sprinkle of salt and pepper to keep the plate fresh and colorful. For potlucks, I like to set the pan out with a big spoon and let everyone help themselves, then round out the table with baked beans, watermelon wedges, and a simple fruit salad.

Servings: 8

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (about 8 oz)

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or a thin swipe of oil so the pasta doesn’t stick.

Pour the uncooked elbow macaroni evenly into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out so it’s mostly in a single layer. This is your base.

Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the dry macaroni. This helps the cheesy flavor run all through the dish as it bakes.

In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the creamy coleslaw dressing and the milk until the mixture is smooth and well combined. It should look like a pourable, creamy sauce.

Slowly pour the coleslaw dressing mixture over the macaroni in the baking pan, making sure to cover all the noodles. Use a spoon or spatula to gently stir right in the pan so every piece of pasta is coated and the cheese is mixed in. Smooth the top into an even layer.

Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil. This traps the moisture and lets the macaroni cook through in the sauce without drying out.

Bake the covered pan on the center rack for 35–40 minutes, or until the macaroni is mostly tender when you taste a piece and the sauce is hot and bubbling around the edges.

Carefully remove the foil (watch for steam), then sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.

Return the pan to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese on top is melted, lightly golden in spots, and the macaroni is fully tender.

Let the pan rest on a cooling rack for about 10 minutes before serving. This short rest helps the sauce thicken up a bit so it’s creamy instead of runny. Serve warm, and stir from the bottom when scooping so every serving gets plenty of sauce.

For picky eaters, you can use a milder, slightly sweeter coleslaw dressing and a very mild cheddar or even Monterey Jack so the flavors stay gentle and kid-friendly. If your family likes a little crunch, stir in 1/2–1 cup of finely chopped cabbage or coleslaw mix during the last 10 minutes of baking so it softens but doesn’t turn mushy. For extra protein, fold in 1–1 1/2 cups of diced cooked ham or shredded rotisserie chicken after the first covered bake, then top with cheese and finish baking as directed. If you prefer a less sweet dish, choose a tangier coleslaw dressing or replace 1/4 cup of the dressing with plain Greek yogurt or sour cream and add a pinch of salt and pepper. You can also use 2% milk instead of whole to lighten it up slightly, but avoid skim milk, which can make the sauce thin and watery. Food safety tips: Keep the bottled creamy coleslaw dressing refrigerated until you’re ready to use it, and don’t leave the finished casserole out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if it’s very hot outside at a cookout). Refrigerate leftovers in a shallow, covered container within that time frame and use within 3–4 days. Reheat leftovers until steaming hot all the way through (165°F/74°C) before serving. If you add cooked meats like ham or chicken, make sure they were properly refrigerated beforehand and are heated thoroughly in the casserole. Always check that the macaroni is fully cooked and the sauce is bubbling before serving, which indicates it’s hot enough for safe eating.