Hawaiian macaroni salad
Hawaiian macaroni salad is a delightful summer side dish that brings the flavors of the islands to your table. This creamy, comforting pasta salad is a staple at plate lunch spots and family gatherings including Luau feasts across Hawaii.
Equipment
- Dutch oven
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 large carrots (peeled and grated)
- 2 Celery sticks (finely chopped)
- 1 Small sweet onion (finely grated)
- 1 bunch green onions (sliced)
- 2 cups Mayonnaise
- 1 cup half and half
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt (or to taste)
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Prepare pasta by boiling in a large pot for 2 to 3 minutes longer than the package's al dente recommendation.
- Next drain in a colander then transfer noodles to a large mixing bowl.
- Toss the warm pasta with apple cider vinegar using a wooden spoon, set aside to cool to room temperature.
- In a separate bowl, combine the carrots, celery, onion, green onions, mayonnaise, half and half, sugar, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix till well combined.
- Pour the mixture over the cooled macaroni. Gently fold the ingredients together with a spatula or wooden spoon until the pasta is evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning to your preference.
- Cover the salad bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 to 2 hours, or ideally overnight, to allow flavors to meld.
- Before serving, garnish with freshly chopped green onions or parsley. Serve chilled.
Video
Notes
- Half and half can be substituted with milk for a lighter dressing. Adjust quantity as needed.
- Refrigeration is important to meld flavors.
- The salad will thicken as it chills, feel free to thin it out a bit with a mixture of mayo and milk
- While you can make this in advance, try not to make it too far in advance. 2 days is fine.
Nutrition
Calories: 526kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 8gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 20gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 839mgPotassium: 240mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2.556IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 1mg
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