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Creamy Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe Easy Pineapple Chunk Version

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A creamy Hawaiian macaroni salad featuring sweet pineapple chunks, crunchy celery, and a tangy mayo-based dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side dish for barbecues, potlucks, or family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked al dente and cooled
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped celery (about 1 large stalk)
  • 1/4 cup grated carrot (optional)
  • 1/4 cup finely diced sweet onion
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks, drained if canned
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the macaroni in a colander and rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking process. Shake off excess water and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Let it cool completely.
  3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 tablespoons milk until smooth and creamy.
  4. Finely chop celery and sweet onion, and grate carrot if using.
  5. Add chopped celery, onion, grated carrot, and pineapple chunks to the cooled macaroni. Pour the dressing over and gently fold everything together until evenly coated.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld and chill.
  7. Before serving, gently stir and taste for seasoning. Adjust salt, pepper, vinegar, or sugar if needed.

Notes

Cook macaroni al dente to avoid mushy salad. Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and cool it quickly. Drain canned pineapple well to prevent watery salad. Prepare salad a day ahead for deeper flavor. Adjust seasoning before serving. For vegan version, use vegan mayo and plant-based milk. For lighter version, substitute half mayo with Greek yogurt.

Nutrition

Keywords: Hawaiian macaroni salad, creamy macaroni salad, pineapple macaroni salad, pasta salad, picnic side dish, barbecue side, tropical salad

Find it online: https://avabake.com/creamy-hawaiian-macaroni-salad-recipe-easy-pineapple-chunk-version/