Description
Traditional Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is a creamy, comforting dish, a staple perfect for backyard barbecues or weeknight dinners. This easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing side offers perfectly balanced sweet and savory notes, bringing a taste of aloha and happy memories to any meal.
Ingredients
1 pound Elbow Macaroni
2 cups Mayonnaise (full-fat)
1/4 cup Whole Milk
2 tablespoons White Vinegar
1 teaspoon Granulated Sugar
1/2 cup Celery, finely diced
1/4 cup Carrot, finely grated
1 tablespoon Yellow Onion, finely minced
1 teaspoon Salt, plus more for pasta water
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until tender, typically 7-9 minutes. Do not overcook; mushy pasta ruins the texture of your macaroni salad
- Drain and Rinse: Drain the cooked macaroni thoroughly. Rinse it briefly with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. This prevents the pasta from absorbing too much dressing too quickly in your Traditional Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, whole milk, white vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until perfectly smooth and creamy. This forms the heart of your Hawaiian Mac Salad dressing
- Combine Ingredients: Add the finely diced celery, grated carrot, and minced yellow onion to the dressing. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly
- Mix with Macaroni: Add the cooled, drained macaroni to the bowl with the dressing and vegetables. Gently fold everything together until every piece of macaroni is thoroughly coated in the creamy dressing. Ensure a consistent coating for the best creamy Hawaiian macaroni salad
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the pasta to absorb the dressing, making your Traditional Hawaiian Macaroni Salad even more delicious
- Adjust Seasoning: Before serving, give the Hawaiian macaroni salad a final stir and taste. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Sometimes the pasta absorbs more seasoning as it chills
Notes
PRO TIPS FOR SUCCESS: Do not overcook your macaroni. Al dente pasta holds its shape better and absorbs the creamy dressing without becoming mushy. Shred your carrots and mince your onions and celery very finely; this ensures a smooth texture and even distribution of flavor. Chilling time is non-negotiable for this classic Hawaiian macaroni salad; the flavors really meld and deepen after several hours in the fridge. Use a good quality, full-fat mayonnaise for the richest, most authentic taste.
STORAGE & REHEATING TIPS: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. The flavors often improve overnight. Give it a good stir before serving; if it seems a little dry, you can stir in a tablespoon or two of milk or mayonnaise to revive its creaminess. Freezing is not recommended, as the mayonnaise-based dressing can separate and the pasta texture will become undesirable.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 27g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, Mac Salad, creamy, comfort food, side dish, potluck, barbecue