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Creamy Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe Easy with Pineapple and Ham

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A creamy Hawaiian macaroni salad featuring sweet pineapple, savory ham, and a tangy dressing, perfect for quick meals and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup canned pineapple chunks, drained (or fresh pineapple)
  • 1 cup deli ham, diced (smoked variety preferred)
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 1 medium carrot, shredded
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 2 cups elbow macaroni and cook until just tender, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to cool completely. Set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, dice 1 cup ham, finely chop 1/2 cup celery, shred one medium carrot, slice 2 green onions thinly, and drain 1 cup pineapple chunks thoroughly.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar until smooth and glossy. Adjust vinegar or sugar to taste if desired.
  4. Add cooled macaroni, ham, celery, carrot, green onions, and pineapple to the dressing. Toss gently until evenly coated.
  5. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Fold in chopped hard-boiled eggs if using.
  6. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and salad to thicken.
  7. Before serving, gently stir the salad. If too thick, add a splash of cold water or extra mayonnaise to loosen.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping. Drain pineapple well to avoid watery salad. Chill salad for at least 1 hour or overnight for best flavor. Adjust seasoning after mixing as mayo mutes salt. Can substitute ham with cooked bacon, smoked turkey, or tofu. Use light mayo or mix with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.

Nutrition

Keywords: macaroni salad, Hawaiian salad, pineapple salad, ham salad, creamy salad, summer salad, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://avabake.com/creamy-hawaiian-macaroni-salad-recipe-easy-with-pineapple-and-ham/