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Creamy Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe with Pineapple and Ham

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A creamy, tangy macaroni salad featuring sweet pineapple chunks and savory ham, perfect as a quick and crowd-pleasing side dish for picnics, potlucks, and summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (8 oz / 225 g) elbow macaroni, cooked al dente and cooled
  • 1 cup diced cooked ham (about 150 g)
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks or canned pineapple tidbits, drained
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) honey
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
  • 2 stalks green onion, thinly sliced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 2 cups elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse briefly with cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain thoroughly for about 5 minutes.
  2. While pasta cooks, dice 1 cup cooked ham into small, bite-sized pieces. Chop 1/2 cup celery finely and slice 2 green onions thinly. Drain 1 cup pineapple chunks well to avoid watery salad.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard until smooth and creamy. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  4. Add the cooled macaroni, ham, pineapple, celery, and green onions into the bowl with the dressing. Fold gently with a rubber spatula until every piece is coated evenly. Avoid overmixing to keep the pasta intact.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld and dressing thicken. If short on time, 30 minutes helps; overnight is ideal.
  6. Before serving, gently stir the salad and taste. Adjust salt, pepper, or add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if desired. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Notes

Drain pineapple well to avoid watery salad. Rinse pasta with cold water after boiling to stop cooking and prevent mushiness. Fold salad gently to keep pasta intact. Chill at least 1 hour for best flavor. For dairy-free, use vegan mayo; for gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. Avoid adding pineapple juice directly to salad.

Nutrition

Keywords: Hawaiian macaroni salad, creamy macaroni salad, pineapple salad, ham salad, picnic side dish, potluck recipe, tropical salad

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