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Creamy Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe Easy Pineapple Twist Perfect for BBQs

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A creamy and refreshing Hawaiian macaroni salad featuring sweet pineapple chunks, crunchy veggies, and a tangy mayo-based dressing, perfect for BBQs and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (200g) elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup (240 ml) mayonnaise
  • 1 cup (240 ml) sweetened canned pineapple chunks, drained
  • 1/2 cup (50g) celery, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup (40g) red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon (12g) granulated sugar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: hard-boiled egg or diced ham

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 2 cups (200g) of elbow macaroni and cook for 7–8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Drain well.
  2. While the pasta cooks, finely dice 1/2 cup (50g) celery and 1/4 cup (40g) red onion. Drain 1 cup (240 ml) of canned pineapple chunks thoroughly.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup (240 ml) mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon (12g) sugar. Whisk until smooth and well blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Add the cooled macaroni, diced celery, chopped onion, and pineapple chunks to the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold everything together until evenly coated.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld, preferably overnight.
  6. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or a splash more vinegar if desired.
  7. Optional: Stir in diced hard-boiled eggs or cubes of ham before chilling.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta; rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent mushiness. Drain pineapple thoroughly to avoid watery salad. For a lighter salad, substitute half the mayo with Greek yogurt. Chill at least 1 hour or overnight for best flavor. Avoid freezing mayonnaise-based salads.

Nutrition

Keywords: Hawaiian macaroni salad, macaroni salad with pineapple, creamy macaroni salad, BBQ side dish, pineapple salad, easy macaroni salad

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/creamy-hawaiian-macaroni-salad-recipe-easy-pineapple-twist-perfect-for-bbqs/