America’s Test Kitchen and Cook’s Country are hands-down my favorite go-to sources for new recipes. I have yet to fail when using any of the recipes I find there. They do a lot of research and experimenting to perfect their recipes. The recipe for Hawaiian Macaroni Salad was no exception.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon salt
2 cups whole milk
2 cups mayonnaise
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
4 scallions, sliced thin
1 carrot, grated
1 celery rib, finely chopped
I cooked the macaroni in boiling water with a tablespoon of salt for a full 15 minutes. Instead of traditional al dente, this recipe calls for very soft and fat noodles.
While the macaroni cooked, I whisked together the milk, mayonnaise, brown sugar, pepper, and salt until it was well blended. I refrigerated the sauce until I was ready to use it.
When the macaroni finished cooking, I drained it and then poured it into a large bowl. I added the apple cider vinegar and stirred it until it the vinegar was absorbed. I set the macaroni to the side to cool.
After the macaroni cooled, I added the vegetables and added the sauce, reserving one cup. I put the macaroni into the refrigerator to chill. It needs to chill for at least one hour. I made it two days ahead, intending to eat it at our beach party. Before serving it, I added the reserved one cup of sauce, stirring until the mixture was well coated.
This macaroni salad is the most delicious I have ever had, and probably will be the only one I ever make in the future. It is rich and creamy yet still light.
Based on 16 servings, this macaroni salad has 315 calories, 25 grams of carbs with 2 grams of fiber, 22 grams of fat, and 5 grams of protein per serving.
I’m fond of ATK/CC too — I’ve seen almost every episode. ATK’s Huli-Huli Chicken recipe from a few seasons ago goes really well with this salad.
I’m admiring your knife skills on those scallions and the celery.
Thank you so much! I have come a long way with my knife skills. It’s actually fun now.
That looks great and I am not fond of most macaroni salads!
I am the same. This one is very good, really light, but still nice and creamy.
I know what my kids will be asking for now!! Love the Hawaiian twist on this!
Looks like a good alternative to traditional macaroni salad. I’ll have to try this!
Looks like a great side dish! Thanks for sharing
This looks delicious and simple to make. Thanks for sharing!
This looks delicious. And I see it calls for brown sugar – which seems like a different add. Anxious to give this a try. Thanks so much for sharing. Pinned this one!
I think I will be making this for one of our adventures.
This looks delicious! I love all different types of macaroni, I’ll have to try this out!
Man, this was the wrong time to read this (I’m STARVING, and it’s too late to make it)! Lol. It looks so delicious!
This looks delicious!! I love the addition of scallions and apple cider vinegar! 🙂
Looks like a great macaroni salad, always a hit at a BBQ.
Looks like a great macaroni salad to go with my BBQ sandwhiches
This look so delicious. You might like the Filipino Chicken Macaroni Salad too. Check it out but more ingredients than this one.
Looks delish. We do not care for mayo in our home, do you think greek yogurt or sour cream would work instead?
I would imagine it probably would.
This looks like a really yummy macaroni salad! I always tend to make the same version, so I will definitely have to try this hawaiian macaroni salad! Thanks for sharing!
Looks so creamy and yummy!