Mom's Hawaiian Mac Salad (25-Minute Macaroni Salad)

• servings: 4 servings
• active time: 10 minutes
• total time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

8 ounces dry elbow macaroni or short pasta of choice

1 medium carrot, peeled as desired and grated

1 cup Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise (also known as Best Foods Real Mayonnaise in Hawaii and on the West Coast)

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

optional: up to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

kosher salt and ground black pepper

Directions

Boil the macaroni

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, generously salt the water. Add in the pasta and cook to al dente, according to package directions. Drain the pasta, rinsing with cold water, and set aside.

Assemble the macaroni salad

Add cooled elbows to a large mixing bowl with the grated carrot, mayonnaise, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, turmeric, and cayenne (if using). Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and ground black pepper, as desired. Stir to combine, seasoning with additional spices and/or salt as needed.

Serve immediately, garnished with finely sliced green onions or chives as desired. In Hawaii, mac salad is often served plate lunch-style, alongside rice with local favorites like shoyu chicken, kalua pig, teriyaki beef, kalbi, etc. Enjoy!

Nutrition

• Calories: 399
• Total Fat: 28.1 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Cholesterol: 15.4 mg
• Sodium: 346 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 30.8 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1.7 g
• Total Sugars: 2.4 g
• Protein: 5.5 g