Okay, get ready to transport your taste buds straight to the islands! There are a few things that just scream “Hawaiian plate lunch,” and right up there with kalua pig and lau lau is that absolutely iconic side dish: Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad. It’s not just any macaroni salad, oh no. This one is creamy, slightly sweet, and has this amazing velvety texture that makes it totally different from your average picnic pasta salad. Every time I make this Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad, the smell alone takes me back to sunny days and casual backyard gatherings. It’s simple, comforting, and just plain delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad
Okay, so why is THIS Hawaiian style macaroni salad recipe about to become your new favorite? Let me tell you!
- First off, the **taste** is just spot on. It hits that perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and just a touch of sweetness that makes it utterly addictive.
- It’s ridiculously **easy to make**. Seriously, if you can boil pasta, you can make this. No fancy steps or ingredients needed!
- It’s the ultimate **side dish hero**. Whether you’re grilling, having a potluck, or just making a simple weeknight meal, this salad goes with *everything*.
- It’s a total **crowd-pleaser**. Kids and adults alike just devour this stuff. Don’t be surprised if you need to make a double batch!
Trust me, once you try this version, you’ll understand the hype around classic Hawaiian style macaroni salad!
Ingredients for Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad
Alright, let’s talk about what you need to whip up this little taste of paradise! The beauty of this Hawaiian style macaroni salad is that the ingredients are super simple, stuff you probably already have or can grab easily. But getting them just right makes all the difference.
- 1 pound elbow macaroni: This is the classic shape, perfect for holding onto that creamy dressing.
- 1 cup mayonnaise: Go for a good quality, full-fat mayo here. It’s the backbone of the dressing, so don’t skimp!
- ½ cup milk: Just regular milk is fine! It helps thin out the mayo to that lovely pourable consistency.
- ¼ cup grated yellow onion: Now, this is key! Grating the onion gives you all that oniony flavor without crunchy bits. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar: This adds that essential tang that cuts through the richness of the mayo.
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar: Just a touch to balance the vinegar and give it that signature slight sweetness.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Seasoning is important!
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Freshly ground if you can, it makes a difference.
- 1 cup shredded carrots: Adds color, a little sweetness, and some nice texture.
- ½ cup finely chopped celery: Gives it just a little bit of crunch and freshness.
See? Nothing too crazy! Just simple stuff coming together to make something truly special.
How to Make Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad
Okay, let’s get cooking! Or rather, let’s get assembling, because this Hawaiian style macaroni salad is seriously easy. You just need a few simple steps to get from ingredients to that creamy, dreamy goodness. Follow along, and you’ll be a mac salad pro in no time!
Preparing the Macaroni for Your Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad
First things first, you gotta cook the macaroni! Get a big pot of salted water boiling. Add your pound of elbow macaroni and cook it just according to the package directions. Don’t overcook it – you want it tender but still with a little bite. Once it’s done, drain it really well. This next part is super important for Hawaiian style macaroni salad: rinse the macaroni with cold water. Like, *really* rinse it. This stops the cooking process immediately and washes away any extra starch, which helps keep the salad from getting gummy. Let it drain again completely and set it aside to cool off.
Creating the Creamy Dressing for Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad
While your macaroni is cooling, let’s make the magic happen – the dressing! Grab a large bowl, big enough to hold everything later. In it, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, that grated onion (trust me on the grating!), white vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Whisk it until it’s all smooth and combined. It should be creamy but still pourable, not super thick. Give it a little taste and adjust salt or pepper if you like, but this is the classic base!
Combining Ingredients for the Perfect Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad
Now for the fun part – bringing it all together! Once the macaroni is cool to the touch, add it to the bowl with your lovely creamy dressing. Toss in the shredded carrots and the finely chopped celery too. Now, get in there with a big spoon or spatula and gently stir everything until every single piece of macaroni and veggie is coated in that glorious dressing. You want it looking lush and creamy, no dry spots allowed!
Chilling Your Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad
This step is non-negotiable, seriously! Once everything is mixed, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Pop it in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Honestly? The longer the better, up to overnight. This chilling time is crucial because it lets all those amazing flavors meld and get happy together. The dressing thickens up a bit too, coating the macaroni perfectly. Don’t skip this – it’s where the real Hawaiian style mac salad magic happens!
Essential Equipment for Making Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad
Okay, you don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets for this Hawaiian style macaroni salad, which is another reason I love it! Just a few basic kitchen workhorses will get the job done:
- A big pot: For boiling that macaroni, obviously!
- A colander: Essential for draining and rinsing the pasta.
- A large mixing bowl: You need plenty of room to mix everything without making a mess.
- A whisk: To get that dressing nice and smooth.
- A grater: For the onion and carrots (or just a knife if you’re chopping the celery!).
See? Simple stuff. You’re probably already set to go!
Tips for Making the Best Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad
Want to take your Hawaiian style macaroni salad from good to absolutely *amazing*? Here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up along the way that make a big difference:
- **Make it ahead!** Seriously, this is the number one tip. This salad is SO much better after it’s had time to chill, ideally overnight. The flavors really deepen and the dressing gets perfectly absorbed.
- **Don’t be afraid to adjust the dressing.** After it’s chilled, the macaroni will soak up some of the liquid. Before serving, give it a stir. If it seems a little dry for your liking, you can add a splash more milk or even a tiny bit more mayo to get that perfect creamy consistency back.
- **Sweet onion is your friend.** Using a sweet onion (like Vidalia) for grating gives you all that lovely onion flavor without any harsh bite. It just blends in beautifully with the other ingredients.
- **Finely chop that celery.** You want the crunch, but you don’t want big, stringy chunks. Taking a little extra time to chop the celery into small pieces makes for a much nicer texture throughout the salad.
Follow these little tips, and your Hawaiian style macaroni salad will be the talk of the party!
Frequently Asked Questions About Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad
Got questions about making this absolutely divine Hawaiian style macaroni salad? Don’t worry, I’ve probably wondered the same things! Here are a few common ones that pop up:
Q: Can I use a different type of pasta for this creamy pasta salad?
A: While elbow macaroni is traditional for Hawaiian style macaroni salad and really holds onto that creamy dressing perfectly, you *could* use other small pasta shapes like shells or ditalini. Just make sure they’re small enough to mix easily and hold the sauce well. But for that classic feel, stick with the elbows!
Q: How long does Hawaiian style macaroni salad last in the fridge?
A: If stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this delicious side dish should last for about 3-5 days. It often tastes even better the second day as the flavors continue to meld!
Q: Why do you rinse the macaroni with cold water?
A: This is a key step for this particular type of pasta salad! Rinsing with cold water immediately stops the cooking process so your macaroni doesn’t get mushy. It also washes away excess starch from the pasta, which helps prevent the dressing from getting gummy and keeps that lovely creamy texture.
Q: Can I add other vegetables to my Hawaiian style macaroni salad?
A: Absolutely! While carrots and celery are classic, some people like to add finely diced red onion (use sparingly!), bell pepper, or even some thawed frozen peas for extra color and texture. Feel free to experiment, but keep the amounts balanced so you don’t overpower the creamy dressing.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Okay, if you’re curious about the nutritional breakdown of this Hawaiian style macaroni salad, here’s a general idea. Keep in mind, these are just *estimates*! The actual numbers can totally change depending on the specific brands of mayonnaise, milk, and even pasta you use. Think of this as a ballpark rather than gospel.
Based on roughly 12 servings (about 1 cup each), you’re looking at something like:
- Calories: Around 350
- Total Fat: About 25g (with roughly 4g Saturated Fat)
- Cholesterol: Around 15mg
- Sodium: About 300mg
- Total Carbohydrates: Around 30g
- Dietary Fiber: About 2g
- Total Sugars: Around 8g
- Protein: About 6g
Again, this is just a guide! If you’re tracking macros or have specific dietary needs, you’ll want to calculate it based on the exact ingredients you use. But hey, sometimes you just gotta enjoy the deliciousness, right?
Share Your Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad Experience
Alright, you’ve got the recipe, you’ve got the tips, and hopefully, you’ve just made (or are about to make!) a batch of this amazing Hawaiian style macaroni salad. Now comes my favorite part – hearing from YOU!
Did you make it? How did it turn out? Did you love that creamy dressing as much as I do? I’d absolutely LOVE for you to leave a comment below and tell me all about your experience. Did you make any little tweaks? Maybe you added a secret ingredient (don’t be shy, share the love!). Did you serve it with anything special? Let me know!
Your comments and experiences are so helpful, not just to me, but to other folks who are trying out the recipe too. So please, drop a line, share your thoughts, and let’s build a little community around this delicious taste of the islands!
Print
Awesome 2-Hour Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Creamy and slightly sweet Hawaiian style macaroni salad with shredded carrots and celery.
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup grated onion
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup chopped celery
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, milk, grated onion, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Add the cooled macaroni, shredded carrots, and chopped celery to the bowl.
- Stir until well combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- For best results, make the salad the day before serving.
- Adjust the amount of mayonnaise and milk to achieve your desired consistency.
- Use sweet onion for a milder flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: macaroni salad, Hawaiian salad, pasta salad, side dish, creamy salad