Creamy, tangy, and packed with amazing flavors, this Hawaiian Macaroni Salad will change the way you think about pasta salad. It’s the perfect side dish for grilled chicken, juicy burgers, or a backyard barbecue spread.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe
If you’ve never had Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, you’re in for a treat. It’s a staple with most any Hawaiian-style plate lunch and is often served with kalua pork, teriyaki chicken, or even a simple scoop of white rice. The salad is creamy, tangy, and packed with tender elbow macaroni and crisp veggies, with a dressing that’s so easy yet it’s absolutely irresistible.
What makes this Hawaiian style macaroni salad so special is how a few simple ingredients come together to create a delicious salad that’s not weighed down with a ton of extras. It’s proof that sometimes less really is more when it comes to flavor. Serve it with anything from burgers to grilled chicken, or grab a bowl straight from the fridge when you’re craving a quick snack.
For another potluck favorite side, be sure to try this Deviled Egg Potato Salad.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Easy recipe – This Hawaiian Macaroni Salad keeps it simple and delicious with basic ingredients and simple steps anyone can follow.
- Creamy dressing – The mix of mayonnaise, milk, and apple cider vinegar gives it that perfect creamy texture with a tangy kick.
- Delicious flavors – A little sweetness and plenty of crisp veggies make every bite light, refreshing, and full of flavor.
- Versatile side dish – It’s the perfect addition to summer cookouts, potlucks, or even as a make-ahead side for easy meals during the week.
Ingredients
- Dry elbow macaroni – The macaroni elbows can be substituted with any other variety of dried short pasta.
- Carrot – Adds the perfect amount of natural sweetness.
- Celery – Fresh celery adds crunchy texture to the salad.
- Green onions – The green onions could be omitted if preferred or you can use finely chopped red onion instead.
- Mayonnaise – For a rich and creamy dressing, choose a good quality whole egg mayonnaise.
- Milk – For best results use whole milk.
- Apple cider vinegar – The apple cider vinegar adds the perfect balance of tangy flavor.
- Granulated sugar – The sugar adds a slight sweetness to the dressing, but you can adjust as to suit your preference.
- Salt and black pepper – Enhances the overall flavor in the Hawaiian pasta salad.
How to Make Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- In a large pot, cook the elbow macaroni pasta according to package directions or just until they are al dente. Drain the hot pasta and set it aside to cool.
- To make the dressing, add the mayonnaise, milk, apple cider vinegar and granulated sugar to a separate bowl. Whisk until well combined, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add the cooled pasta to a large bowl along with the shredded carrot, chopped celery and sliced green onion.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and stir until well combined and everything is coated in the dressing.
- Transfer your Hawaiian mac salad to a serving bowl before serving.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap for up to 3 days. Stir before serving. This salad is not suitable for freezing.
Top Tips
- Don’t overcook the pasta – Cook the macaroni until it’s tender but still holds its shape. Nobody wants mushy pasta. If you need to cool it quickly you can run it under cold water.
- Add olive oil – Stir a drizzle of olive oil through the cooked pasta to help prevent it from sticking as it cools.
- Chill before serving – Pop the salad in the fridge for at least 20 minutes so the flavors have time to come together.
- Use full-fat mayonnaise – For that creamy, classic texture, stick with full-fat mayo like Best Foods or Hellmann’s. It’s worth it.
- Add a touch of milk – A splash of milk keeps the dressing smooth and stops it from getting too thick in the fridge.
- Stir well before serving – If the salad’s been hanging out for a while, give it a good stir to get that dressing evenly distributed again.
Variations and Add-ins
- Hard-boiled eggs – Add chopped eggs for a little extra protein.
- Imitation crab – Mix in chunks of imitation crab for a seafood twist.
- Pineapple chunks – A touch of tangy pineapple adds a sweet and tropical flavor.
- Grated onion – Grate a small amount of onion into the dressing for added depth without the bite.
- Extra veggies – Bell peppers, peas, or corn make great additions for more crunch and color.
- Lighten it up – Swap half the mayo for plain Greek yogurt to reduce the richness of the tangy dressing.
- Other veggies – Other vegetables can be added to your creamy pasta salad, such as chopped bell pepper or corn kernels.
FAQs
Yes, but the flavor will be sweeter and tangier. Adjust the sugar to taste.
If the pasta soaks up too much dressing, add a splash of milk to loosen it up before serving.
Absolutely! Just store it in the fridge and stir it well before serving to redistribute the creamy dressing.
This is a simple recipe that you can make your own with other pasta shapes. While elbow pasta is traditional, short pasta like shells or rotini will also work.
No, not as written, but you can use gluten-free macaroni elbows to make it safe for gluten-free diets.
More Great Side Dishes
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Equipment
- Large saucepan
- Colander
- 1 x large mixing bowl
- 1 x smaller mixing bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
- Salad
- 1 lb. dried macaroni elbows
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 3 green onions thinly sliced
- Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni elbows according to packet directions. Drain and set aside to cool.
- To make the dressing, add the mayonnaise, milk, apple cider vinegar and granulated sugar to a smaller mixing bowl. Whisk until well combined, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl along with the shredded carrot, chopped celery and sliced green onions.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients, and stir until well combined and everything is coated in the dressing.
- Transfer the salad to a serving bowl before serving.
Notes
• Other vegetables can be added to the salad, such as chopped bell pepper or corn kernels.
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