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Sweet Macaroni Salad Recipe

Sweet Macaroni Salad Recipe


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4.7 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Creamy Hawaiian sweet macaroni salad delivers a tropical twist on classic comfort food. Packed with tender pasta, tangy dressing, and colorful mix-ins, you’ll savor each refreshing bite of this island-inspired side dish.


Ingredients

Scale

Pasta:

  • 1 package (16 ounces / 454 grams) elbow macaroni

Vegetables:

  • 4 medium carrots, shredded
  • 1 large green pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium red onion, chopped

Dressing:

  • 2 cups (480 milliliters) mayonnaise
  • 1 can (14 ounces / 397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
  • 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water for 8-10 minutes until tender. Drain completely and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process, then allow to cool thoroughly.
  2. Transfer cooled macaroni to a spacious mixing vessel, creating a foundation for the salad.
  3. Incorporate shredded carrots, finely diced green pepper, and minced red onion into the macaroni, distributing vegetables evenly throughout the pasta.
  4. Craft a creamy dressing by vigorously whisking mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until the mixture transforms into a uniform, silky consistency.
  5. Drench the macaroni and vegetable mixture with the prepared dressing, gently folding to ensure every pasta piece and vegetable is generously coated.
  6. Seal the salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify. Overnight chilling yields optimal taste development.
  7. Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and revive its creamy texture.

Notes

  • Rinse macaroni thoroughly with cold water to stop cooking process and prevent sticking, ensuring perfect texture for the salad.
  • Drain pasta completely to avoid watery dressing, using a colander and gently shaking to remove excess moisture.
  • Dice vegetables uniformly for consistent flavor and appealing presentation, creating balanced bites in every spoonful.
  • Adjust sweetness by gradually adding condensed milk and tasting, allowing personal preference to guide the dressing’s flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 464
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 230 mg
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 8 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg