Lush Creamy Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe: Island Bliss in a Bowl
Hawaiian macaroni salad brings tropical comfort to every backyard barbecue and potluck gathering.
This classic side dish blends rich, tangy flavors that dance across your palate with effortless charm.
Generations of island cooks have perfected this creamy recipe, passing down secrets from one kitchen to another.
The mayo-dressed pasta captures the essence of Hawaiian cuisine with its simple yet irresistible blend of ingredients.
Tender elbow macaroni provides the perfect canvas for a luscious dressing that coats each noodle with creamy goodness.
Crisp carrots and green onions add a delightful crunch that elevates the entire dish.
You won’t be able to resist this crowd-pleasing salad that promises to become a staple at your summer cookouts.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Calories: 470 kcal
Servings: 6
What Goes in Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
For Pasta Base:For Dressing Enhancers:For Flavor Boosters:Tools for Island-Style Pasta Prep
Toss Together This Creamy Macaroni Salad
Boil macaroni in salted water until soft and slightly mushy, which gives the classic Hawaiian-style texture. The pasta should be more tender than typical al dente pasta.
Splash apple cider vinegar over the hot pasta and gently mix, allowing the pasta to absorb the tangy flavor. Let the pasta rest and cool down for a few minutes.
Whisk together mayonnaise, milk, grated onion, and a touch of sugar to create a smooth, rich dressing that will coat the pasta perfectly.
Fold the creamy dressing into the cooled pasta, ensuring every noodle gets a generous coating. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour to let the flavors meld and develop a deeper taste.
Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and adjust seasoning if needed. The salad should be creamy, tangy, and cool – a true Hawaiian-style side dish that complements any main course.
Tropical Twists for Hawaiian Mac Salad
Chill, Serve, and Pair with Hawaiian Flair
Storing Your Mac Salad for Later
Print
Creamy Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 7 1x
Description
Hawaiian macaroni salad delivers a creamy, tangy twist on classic pasta sides from Pacific island cuisine. Local ingredients and simple preparation make this dish a crowd-pleasing summer staple you can easily enjoy at home.
Ingredients
- 2 cups/473 ml elbow macaroni
- 1 ½ cups/355 ml mayonnaise
- 1 cup/236 ml shredded carrots
- ½ cup/118 ml crushed pineapple
- ½ cup/118 ml celery (finely chopped)
- ½ cup/118 ml apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup/59 ml whole milk
- ¼ cup/59 ml sweet onion (finely minced)
- 1 tbsp/15 ml sugar
- 1 tsp/5 ml salt
- ½ tsp/2.5 ml black pepper
Instructions
- Macaroni Preparation: Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until exceptionally tender, surpassing the traditional al dente texture to achieve the quintessential Hawaiian-style softness.
- Flavor Infusion: Drain pasta completely, then immediately drench with apple cider vinegar, allowing the hot noodles to absorb the tangy liquid rapidly, which will permeate and enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Cooling and Marination: Spread the vinegar-saturated macaroni on a broad surface, permitting it to cool and rest for 10-15 minutes, enabling complete absorption of the vinegar and developing the signature relaxed texture characteristic of authentic Hawaiian macaroni salad.
Notes
- Overcook Pasta Deliberately: Cook macaroni 2-3 minutes longer than package instructions to achieve the traditional Hawaiian-style soft, almost mushy texture that distinguishes this regional dish.
- Vinegar Absorption Technique: Splash apple cider vinegar immediately after draining hot pasta to help noodles absorb maximum flavor and create a tangy base that defines the salad’s unique profile.
- Room Temperature Resting: Allow pasta to cool completely at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, which helps noodles fully soak up dressing and prevents mayonnaise from becoming watery when mixed.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or vegan mayo for lighter versions, and use gluten-free pasta to accommodate different dietary restrictions while maintaining authentic Hawaiian flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Jenna Hartley
Founder & Recipe Creator
Expertise
Education
Box Hill Institute, Melbourne
William Angliss Institute, Melbourne
Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes.
Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.