Description
Hawaiian Mac Salad is a creamy and vibrant dish that’s bursting with flavor. This delightful salad combines tender macaroni with fresh vegetables and a rich dressing, making it a perfect side dish or a light meal. Whether it’s for a family gathering, backyard BBQ, or a simple weeknight dinner, it’s sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups whole milk (divided, use 1½ cups, set aside ½ cup)
- 2 cups mayonnaise (divided, use 1 cup, set aside 1 cup)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 to 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt (added to water for boiling)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ sweet onion (grated)
- ½ cup carrot (peeled and grated, approximately one large carrot)
- ¼ cup celery (chopped fine, approximately one celery stalk)
- 4 scallions (green onions, sliced thin)
Instructions
- Make The Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together 1½ cups of milk, 1 cup of mayonnaise, brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of salt, and 2 teaspoons of pepper until smooth.
- Cook The Pasta: Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and the elbow macaroni. Cook until very soft, about 15 minutes.
- Once cooked, drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Pour in the apple cider vinegar and toss until it’s absorbed.
- Transfer the macaroni to a large bowl. Add in the grated onion, carrots, and celery, and toss to combine.
- Now, pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss well to coat everything evenly.
- Let the salad cool for about 10 minutes. Then, stir in the remaining milk and mayonnaise until well combined.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days. This chilling time helps all the flavors to meld together wonderfully.
- When ready to serve, top with sliced scallions for that extra crunch!
Notes
- For best flavor, let the salad chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
- If the salad thickens too much in the fridge, stir in a splash of milk before serving.
- Adjust seasoning (salt, pepper, or sugar) to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg