Description
Creamy Hawaiian macaroni salad delights with its tangy mayo dressing and tender pasta. Balanced with subtle sweetness and crunch, you’ll savor each refreshing bite of this classic island-style side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (473 ml) elbow macaroni
- 1 ½ cups (355 ml) mayonnaise
- 1 cup (236 ml) shredded carrots
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup (118 ml) apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup (59 ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (118 ml) celery (finely chopped)
- ¼ cup (59 ml) sweet onion (finely minced)
- ½ cup (118 ml) crushed pineapple
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the macaroni in a large pot of boiling water, ensuring it cooks beyond the typical al dente stage to achieve the signature Hawaiian-style softness.
- Drain the pasta thoroughly, then quickly drizzle apple cider vinegar over the hot noodles, allowing the liquid to absorb and infuse flavor throughout the pasta.
- Spread the vinegar-coated macaroni on a flat surface, letting it cool and rest for approximately 10-15 minutes to absorb the tangy essence and reach room temperature.
- This cooling process helps the pasta develop a more relaxed texture and ensures the vinegar penetrates each noodle completely, creating the distinct Hawaiian macaroni salad characteristic.
Notes
- Overcooking pasta is key to achieving the classic Hawaiian-style soft, creamy texture that sets this salad apart from traditional macaroni salads.
- Using apple cider vinegar while pasta is warm helps it absorb the tangy flavor and creates a more deeply seasoned base for the dish.
- Grate your carrots and onions finely to distribute flavor evenly and ensure a smooth, creamy consistency throughout the salad.
- For a lighter version, substitute part of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to reduce calories while maintaining the signature creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg