Name: Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 155 min
Ingredients: 16 ounces elbow macaroni (cooked according to box directions, drained); ½ cup carrots (finely grated); ¼ cup sweet yellow onion (grated); 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper; 2½ cups mayonnaise; ½ cup whole milk; 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

a bowl of Hawaiian Macaroni Salad with a wooden spoon in it

Hawaiian macaroni salad is creamy, sweet, and tangy with soft pasta and a simple mayo dressing. This easy side dish works great for BBQs, potlucks, and family dinners.

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Table of Contents

Recipe Overview
Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How to Make Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
How To Serve this Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe
Why You'll Love This Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe
Recipe FAQ
Serving FAQ
Storage FAQ
JUMP TO RECIPE

Table of Contents

This Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is creamy, tangy, and packed with tropical flair in every bite.

Whether you're planning a summer BBQ, a luau-themed party, or just craving something a little different, this easy side dish will transport you straight to paradise—no plane ticket required!

More Recipes ⭐ Pasta Salad | Greek Pasta Salad | Cowboy Pasta Salad

Recipe Overview

🛒 Main Ingredients: Macaroni, mayo, milk, and shredded carrots

⏲️ Recipe Time: Take about 30 minutes to prepare, and chills in the fridge before serving

🍽️ Servings: 10

This macaroni salad tastes creamy, tangy, and smooth with every bite. It’s a must-make side for parties, family dinners, and backyard BBQs.

You only need simple pantry staples to whip up this classic mac salad. The sweet vinegar-mayo dressing and soft pasta make it hard to stop eating.

Ingredients

What you'll need to make this Hawaiian mac salad recipe:

For The Macaroni Salad:

16 ounces of elbow macaroni, cooked to al dente according to box directions, drained
½ cup of finely grated carrots
¼ cup of grated sweet yellow onion
3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon of kosher salt
1 teaspoon of fresh cracked black pepper

For The Dressing:

2½ cups of mayonnaise
½ cup of whole milk
2 teaspoons of granulated sugar

Pro Tip

Any mayonnaise will work in this great recipe, I chose the lighter Kraft Mayo, but some swear by Dukes.

Substitutions and Additions

MIX-INS: You can mix in diced ham, finely diced celery, green onions, pineapple, or even green peas to your macaroni salad recipe.

PASTA: Substitute any short pasta noodles such as rotini, fusilli, or cavatappi instead of the macaroni noodles in this incredible salad.

How to Make Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Follow along with our step-by-step photos to make the best macaroni salad at home. Check out the tips and tricks below for extra help. Let’s get started!

Pro Tip

Follow the directions on the macaroni package for the cooking time of the pasta. You’ll want it to be al dente and not too soft.

FIRST STEP: While the cooked, drained macaroni noodles are still hot, carefully scoop them into a large mixing bowl. Add the grated carrots, grated sweet onion, apple cider vinegar, kosher salt, and pepper to a large bowl. Gently stir to incorporate the salad completely. Cover the mixing bowl and let the mixture sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

SECOND STEP: Using a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, and sugar until smooth.

whisking together mayonnaise, milk and sugar in a bowl

STEP THREE: Gently fold the dressing into the macaroni salad. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours up to overnight. Before serving, gently stir the macaroni salad.

Pro Tip

Just before serving, if the macaroni salad is a bit stiff, you can stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk.

folding the dressing into the macaroni salad

How To Serve this Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe

This Hawaiian macaroni salad works great year-round and tastes amazing with all kinds of meals. It’s kid-friendly, budget-friendly, and perfect for feeding a crowd.

Serve it at summer cookouts: This creamy macaroni salad pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, ribs, or hot dogs. Try it with BBQ chicken sliders or tater tot casserole for a fun summer meal.
Bring it to potlucks or parties: It travels well, and everyone always goes back for seconds. Serve it next to pulled pork sandwiches.
Add it to a quick weeknight dinner: Make dinner easy by scooping it alongside fried pork chops or baked chicken legs. Kids love the creamy texture and sweet flavor.

Why You'll Love This Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe

Hawaiian macaroni salad keeps readers coming back because it’s easy, creamy, and always gets devoured at parties and family meals.

Simple to Make: You probably already have everything in your pantry or fridge right now. No need for fancy tools—just cook, mix, chill, and serve.
Perfect Texture: The pasta stays soft and creamy without turning mushy.
Sweet and Tangy Dressing: The mayo, vinegar, and sugar combo hits all the right notes without being too strong.
Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s a party or weeknight dinner, everyone goes back for seconds. Kids and grown-ups both scoop this up without hesitation.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Mix it early and chill it, so the flavors soak in just right.

This no-fuss salad wins big with families, friends, and food bloggers alike!

a spoon holding some Hawaiian Macaroni Salad and some in a bowl

Recipe FAQ

How do I keep my macaroni salad from drying out?
Coat the pasta while it’s still slightly warm, then chill it. This keeps your salad smooth and creamy, not dry.

Should I chill the salad before serving it?
Yes, chill the Hawaiian macaroni salad for at least two hours. This helps the flavors blend and the texture firm up.

What kind of mayo works best for this recipe?
Use full-fat mayo for this Hawaiian mac salad. It gives the dressing a deliciously creamy base.

Why does the recipe use vinegar and sugar together?
The mix of vinegar and sugar gives Hawaiian macaroni salad its signature sweet and tangy taste that stands out from other macaroni salads.

a white bowl of Hawaiian Macaroni Salad with two spoon

Serving FAQ

What’s the best way to serve Hawaiian macaroni salad at a BBQ?
Pack it in a cooler with ice packs to keep the dressing fresh and creamy. Serve it cold alongside your grilled meats or sandwiches.

Can I serve Hawaiian macaroni salad straight from the fridge?
Yes, serve the salad cold right from the fridge for the best taste and texture.

Is Hawaiian macaroni salad good for kids' meals?
Yes, kids love Hawaiian mac salad because it’s creamy, soft, and has a sweet and tangy flavor.

Can I serve Hawaiian macaroni salad at a holiday dinner?
Yes, this mac salad works great for holidays. It adds a cool, creamy contrast to warm, savory dishes. Plan on about ½ cup of mac salad per person if you're serving it as a side dish with other dishes.

Storage FAQ

Follow the storage tips and directions below to keep your Hawaiian macaroni salad fresh, creamy, and ready to serve anytime.

Can I prepare Hawaiian macaroni salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this Hawaiian salad one day ahead. Chill it in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve.

What’s the best way to store leftover macaroni salad?
Store leftover mac salad in a sealed container in the fridge. It stays fresh and creamy for up to three days.

Can I freeze Hawaiian macaroni salad?
No, don’t freeze macaroni salad. The mayo dressing breaks down and the texture changes once thawed.

How do I freshen up leftovers before serving again?
Give the mac salad a quick stir. You might need to add a spoonful of mayo or milk to bring back creaminess.

If you love this, check out more Pasta Salad recipes!