Creamy Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe – Sweet & Tangy Side Dish for BBQs, Cookouts and Potlucks
This Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is an easy side dish that works for just about any casual meal or gathering. It’s creamy, smooth, and has that classic sweet and tangy flavor that makes it hard to stop eating. Serve it with grilled meats, BBQ chicken, or Hawaiian-style meals for a simple side everyone will recognize and love.
If you love easy pasta salad recipes, this Smoked Sausage Pasta Salad is another filling and flavor-packed side dish that’s perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and summer dinners.
How to Make Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Here are the ingredients you need to make this Hawaiian Pasta Salad, plus step by step instructions for how to make it.
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni noodles
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 medium carrots, shredded
- ½ yellow onion, shredded
- 1 cup Hellman’s mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 ½ tbsp sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step by Step Instructions
1. Grate the carrots and onion into small pieces and set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the macaroni a few minutes past al dente so the pasta turns soft and tender.
3. Drain the pasta well, then transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the apple cider vinegar, shredded carrots, and onion while the pasta is still warm. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 1 hour to cool completely.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
5. Pour the dressing over the chilled pasta mixture and gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
6. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve so the flavors have time to blend together.
Note
This recipe makes a large batch and can serve anywhere from 8 to 12 people depending on portion size.
This is the kind of pasta salad recipe that’s great to make ahead because it tastes even better after chilling in the fridge. It’s simple, filling, and perfect for cookouts, potlucks, family dinners, or summer parties when you need an easy side dish that goes with almost everything.
More Pasta Salad Recipes
- Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad
- Creamy Caesar Pasta Salad
- Broccoli Cauliflower Pasta Salad
- Smoked Sausage Pasta Salad
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni noodles
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 medium carrots, shredded
- ½ yellow onion, shredded
- 1 cup Hellman’s mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 ½ tbsp sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Grate the carrots and onion into small pieces and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the macaroni a few minutes past al dente so the pasta turns soft and tender.
- Drain the pasta well, then transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the apple cider vinegar, shredded carrots, and onion while the pasta is still warm. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 1 hour to cool completely.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the dressing over the chilled pasta mixture and gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
