Description
This Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is a creamy, flavorful side dish featuring tender elbow macaroni combined with a tangy mayonnaise dressing and fresh grated vegetables. A classic Hawaiian comfort food, it perfectly complements grilled meats and luau-style meals with its smooth texture and subtle sweetness.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound elbow macaroni pasta
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1½ cup mayonnaise (more if needed)
- ¾ cup whole milk (more if needed)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (granulated or brown sugar)
- ½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (plus more to taste)
Vegetables
- 2 carrots, grated (approx. 1 cup once grated)
- 2 ribs celery, diced (approx. ½ cup once diced)
- 1 small yellow onion, grated or finely diced (approx. ½ cup)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the elbow macaroni until soft but not mushy according to package instructions. Drain the pasta in a colander, then rinse briefly with lukewarm water to stop further cooking. Immediately drizzle with apple cider vinegar and toss to coat evenly, which helps add flavor and prevent sticking.
- Prepare Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, whole milk, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and the sugar is dissolved.
- Mix Vegetables with Dressing: Add the grated carrots, diced celery, and grated or finely diced onion to the mayonnaise dressing. Stir thoroughly until the vegetables are fully coated in the creamy mixture.
- Combine Pasta and Dressing: Add the cooked and vinegar-coated macaroni into the bowl with the mayo-vegetable mixture. Gently fold the ingredients together until the pasta is evenly coated with the dressing and vegetables are well distributed.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the salad and add additional mayonnaise if you prefer a creamier texture. Season with extra salt and black pepper according to your taste. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use lukewarm water to rinse pasta to avoid it becoming too cold or gummy.
- Add more mayonnaise or milk to adjust creaminess and consistency as preferred.
- For best flavor, chill the salad for at least an hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled or barbecued dishes, especially Hawaiian-style plate lunches.
- Use fresh vegetables to maintain crisp texture and vibrant flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
