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Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad Recipe

It’s already August, but there’s still time to put a good macaroni salad recipe to use. It seems like summer just got here, so we will be barbecuing for as long as the weather allows. Plus, there are no rules about what time of year you can eat a good pasta salad. 😉

Bowls of Hawaiian macaroni salad.

Delicious Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe

Yields: 8 servings

Prep time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes

Macaroni, celery, carrots, brown sugar, and other ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cups mayonnaise, divided
  • 2 cups whole milk, divided
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 bunch scallions, sliced thin (about 5-7 scallions)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded carrot
  • 1 ½ cups minced celery
Bowl of macaroni in a pot.

Directions:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add macaroni and cook until very soft (10-12 minutes). Drain, return to cooking pot immediately and toss with apple cider vinegar. Allow macaroni to cool for 10 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup of the mayonnaise, 1 ½ cups of the whole milk, the brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
  3. Once the macaroni has cooled for 10 minutes, toss with the mixed sauce and let cool to room temperature.
  4. Once cool, fold in the scallion, carrot, and celery. Whisk together the remaining 1 cup mayonnaise and ½ cup whole milk and pour over macaroni salad. Toss well to coat. Add additional salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Chill in the refrigerator until cold.
Chopped veggies.
Chopped carrots, onions, and celery in a bowl.

This macaroni salad recipe has a slightly tangy and sweet flavor. It’s a staple in Hawaiian-style box lunches or plate lunches. Bring it as a side dish to gatherings, or make it when you host a BBQ.

Bowl of macaroni salad.

If you are looking for more awesome BBQ side dishes, we have a few more here. Don’t forget the frozen treats to cool down guests on hot days, too!

Do you have a favorite macaroni salad recipe?

Sharon DiAmore

Monday 5th of October 2015

My son is half Hawaiian. I will definitely have to make this for him!

ellen beck

Thursday 17th of September 2015

I love macaroni saalad and I like how this is a bit different. I think this wwould be a good one to take to a potluck!

lana simanovicki

Thursday 27th of August 2015

this looks yummy

Joni Mason

Monday 17th of August 2015

My favorite macaroni salad recipe is the plain one I've used for years. This looks dleish and I'm excited to see how the brown sugar adds to the flavor or you Hawaiian Macaroni Salad! I may have to leave the celery out though, I'm not a fan of it at all...lol

Vickie @Vickie's Kitchen and Garden

Sunday 16th of August 2015

Sounds delicious. Would be great for a picnic or potluck. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty