This creamy Hawaiian mac salad has the soft texture and sweet-tangy flavor of a real plate lunch side. Easy to make ahead and even better the next day, it's a family favorite for cookouts, potlucks, and backyard luaus.
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 ½ cups mayonnaise, divided (I recommend Hellmann’s or Best Foods)
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 2 carrots, peeled and grated
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions, until very tender. Drain well.1 pound elbow macaroni
- Transfer the hot pasta to a large bowl. Drizzle with apple cider vinegar and stir to coat. Let sit for 15 minutes to absorb the vinegar and cool.¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups of the mayonnaise, whole milk, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth.2 cups mayonnaise, ¾ cup whole milk, 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Add the grated carrots and sliced green onions to the pasta. Pour the dressing over the top and stir gently until evenly coated.4 green onions, 2 carrots
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Before serving, stir in the remaining ½ cup mayonnaise.0.5 cups mayonnaise
Notes
- I recommend Hellmann's or Best Foods mayonnaise for the best flavor.
- Cook the macaroni about 1 minute past the package directions. Soft noodles are the goal.
- Don't skip drizzling the apple cider vinegar over the hot pasta. The warm noodles absorb it as they cool.
- Grate the carrots finely on the small side of a box grater so they blend into the salad.
- Reserving the last ½ cup of mayo to stir in before serving keeps the salad creamy after chilling.
- This salad tastes even better the next day, making it a great make-ahead side for cookouts and potlucks.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Stir well before serving as the dressing may separate slightly. Does not freeze well.
Nutrition
Calories: 573kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 25g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 607mg | Potassium: 199mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2153IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg
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