Food trucks are all about making creative yet tasty dishes, and the best ones are quick and easy. Since some food truck recipes are so popular, they need to be topped up. Once the truck runs out of Hawaiian mac salad, they will want to whip up a new batch ASAP!
So what’s so special about this recipe? Well, it’s delicious for a start, and it’s completely impossible not to love it!
The basis of Hawaiian macaroni salad is macaroni pasta and then you’ll need carrots and celery for color and crunch. The dressing, which is creamy and tangy, is made with mayonnaise, cream, onion, and a few simple seasonings.
Food trucks make big batches of this because it’s easy to batch-cook and the ingredients are all budget ones. So, if you’re looking for a quick and easy salad which is creamy, crunchy and delicious, you can’t go wrong with this food truck favorite!
Why You’ll Love the Recipe:
What’s the best thing to serve with any kind of meat from grilled chicken to smoked fish or even a juicy piece of prime rib? The answer is a cool, creamy salad, and this Hawaiian mac salad pairs beautifully with any dish. It’s super-easy to prepare and is made with economically priced ingredients.
How to Serve It:
Have a scoop of this Hawaiian macaroni salad with your favorite meat, or rustle up a big batch of it for a cookout, potluck meal or your next barbecue.
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
- Dried elbow macaroni
- Chopped celery
- Grated carrots
- Apple cider vinegar
For the Dressing:
- Minced yellow onion
- Black pepper
- White sugar
- Half & Half
- Mayonnaise
- Salt
How to make Hawaiian Mac Salad:
Step 1. Whisk the dressing ingredients together, then chill while you cook the pasta.
Step 2. Follow the instructions on the package to cook the macaroni, giving it an additional 5 minutes (softer pasta absorbs more dressing).
Step 3. Drain the pasta and put it back in the pot.
Step 4. Stir in the vinegar.
Step 5. Cover the pot and let it sit and cool for 20 minutes.
Step 6. Stir in half the dressing, cover and cool for 20 minutes.
Step 7. Mix in the rest of the dressing, and the carrots and celery.
Step 8. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
Step 9. Chill for a couple of hours, then serve.
If the thought of sweet, tangy Hawaiian food gets your tastebuds tingling, you’re going to love how easy this Hawaiian mac salad is to make and how delicious it tastes. One great tip is to make double the amount you think you’ll need, since this stuff is addictive!
Hawaiian Mac Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 pound dried elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup finely chopped celery
- 2 finely grated carrots
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
For the Dressing:
- ¼ cup minced yellow onion
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons white sugar
- 2 cups Half & Half
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Whisk the dressing ingredients together, then chill while you cook the pasta.
- Follow the instructions on the package to cook the macaroni, giving it an additional 5 minutes (softer pasta absorbs more dressing).
- Drain the pasta and put it back in the pot.
- Stir in the vinegar.
- Cover the pot and let it sit and cool for 20 minutes.
- Stir in half the dressing, cover and cool for 20 minutes.
- Mix in the rest of the dressing, and the carrots and celery.
- Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
- Chill for a couple of hours, then serve.
Can You Make It Ahead?
Yes, this salad can be prepared in advance.
Storage Instructions:
Keep the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3 days.
Variations and Substitutions:
You can add other ingredients to this if you want. Pineapple goes especially well and adds to the Hawaiian charm. Crushed pineapple is best, or even fresh, but make sure it’s VERY well drained else it will dilute the dressing too much. Add some chopped walnuts too if you want.
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