Description
Macaroni Hawaiian Salad is a creamy, tangy, and lightly sweet island-style pasta salad made with tender elbow macaroni, crisp vegetables, and a rich mayonnaise dressing. This easy make-ahead side dish is perfect for BBQs, potlucks, picnics, and busy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb elbow macaroni pasta
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1 cup finely chopped celery
- ½ cup finely diced sweet onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (plus more for garnish)
- 2 cups Best Foods Real Mayonnaise
- ½ cup half and half
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika (plus more for garnish if desired)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni 3 minutes longer than the package directions for al dente.
- Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large mixing bowl while still warm.
- Drizzle apple cider vinegar over the hot pasta and gently stir to coat. Let cool.
- In a separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, half and half, sugar, salt, pepper, and paprika until smooth.
- Stir in grated carrots, celery, sweet onion, and green onions.
- Pour the dressing mixture over the cooled pasta and gently fold until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2–4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Garnish with additional green onions before serving. Serve chilled.
Notes
- Cooking the pasta slightly softer than al dente gives this salad its authentic Hawaiian-style texture.
- Letting the salad chill overnight enhances flavor and creaminess.
- If the salad thickens after chilling, stir in a splash of half and half before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling, Mixing
- Cuisine: Hawaiian, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg