This is a creamy, tangy, and sweet Hawaiian macaroni salad I like to bring to family gatherings. This is a humble salad with simple flavors and a sunny glow that’s always a crowd pleaser!

Who doesn’t like a creamy macaroni salad!

Tangy, creamy, and with a satisfying crunch, it makes a delicious side to fried chicken (I must confess to having a weakness for KFC’s macaroni salad!) and a great dish to bring to a potluck or barbecue. It’s one of those dishes that never disappoints – aside from the fact that they can be very high in calories and fat.

But that’s something you won’t have to worry about with this recipe!

My Hawaiian macaroni salad is a “skinny” version that you can enjoy eating without feeling guilty because it’s lower in calories and contains less of the bad kind of fat (saturated).

I use a combination of 2% Greek yogurt, 2% milk, and a mayonnaise made with healthy fats.

The result is surprisingly just as creamy as a classic Hawaiian macaroni salad, plus, you get a boost of probiotics, calcium and vitamin B from the Greek yogurt!

All good things to keep your bones strong and your body functioning well.

The recipe is very simple and as kid friendly as it can be.

Ingredients for Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Elbow macaroni: You can use regular or whole wheat elbow macaroni. Or if you cannot find elbow macaroni, pasta shells or tubular pasta also work.
Carrot: One shredded carrot to add sweetness, crunchiness, and a pop of color.
Scallions: I like to add plenty of scallions to brighten up the taste and give it a refreshing crunch.
Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider gives the salad its irresistible tanginess. You can also use plain rice vinegar for this recipe.
Mayonnaise: You can technically use any type of mayonnaise to make this recipe but I personally prefer using a heart healthy one such as Hellman’s Olive Oil mayonnaise. Primal Kitchen also has a delicious one made with avocado oil.
Greek yogurt: Use plain 2% yogurt such as Faje. I don’t recommend going completely fat-free as this may take away the creaminess of the sauce.
Milk: You can use fat free milk, 2% milk, or unsweetened oat milk.
Honey: The honey adds sweetness a hint of floral. My favorite type is raw honey.
Salt and pepper: A little salt and pepper to balance the taste of the salad. Add to your liking.

How to Make Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Gather all of your ingredients for this recipe.
Start by bringing a pot of water to boil and cooking your elbow macaroni by following the instructions on the box. I recommend al dente texture.
Drain the macaroni and rinse under cold water until the noodles are room temperature. Drain again, well.
Transfer the macaroni to a bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Stir well until the ingredients are combined and each macaroni is coated evenly.
Season with salt and pepper and refrigerate until chilled. Enjoy!

What to Serve with this Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

The sweet and tangy flavors of this salad make it the ideal side dish to grilled foods, burgers, and sandwiches. Some of my favorites are:

Did you like this Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe? Are there changes you made that you would like to share? Share your tips and recommendations in the comments section below!