Hawaiian Macaroni Salad with Spam

You asked for it! Hawaiian Macaroni with Spam is now here for you based on my wildly popular Hawaiian Mac Salad recipe that I love and adore. So why not add some fried spam and enjoy like so many do.

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My father used to slice off a piece of spam from the iconic rectangle can that was opened with a key attached to the top. Yes, that dates me a little bit but that's okay. I ate it because my father liked it. Cold and between two pieces of bread. I suppose that is why I really don't care for Spam.

But so many of you have requested this recipe that I thought I better give it a try again, and you know what? It's good! Really good! So let me help you make this fantastic recipe for Hawaiian Macaroni Salad with Fried Spam for your next BBQ. It's really simple.

Ingredients Shopping List for Pasta Salad

• Pasta – a traditional Elbow noodle is commonly used. I love to use a Cellentani pasta which has more of a curly corkscrew shape.
• Carrots – Matchstick carrots are quick and easy but diced or shredded carrots work perfectly.
• Green Onions - Diced Green Onions (optional but delicious)
• Mayonnaise – Using a quality name brand Mayo is best. Do not skimp on this ingredient. Best Foods or even the stronger bolder taste of Dukes Mayo is wonderful.
• Sugar – This recipe uses a little bit of sugar. I have been a fan of Dixie Sugar. It’s a fine white sugar and I love the subtle flavor it adds
• Vinegar – Apple Cider Vinegar is best. White vinegar can also be used in a pinch
• Milk – I use 2% milk but this could easily be made with 1% or even Almond Milk.
• Broth – When pressure cooking noodles use a broth (Chicken or vegetable broth). The noodles will be infused with extra flavor. It’s my secret Tip to a fantastic recipe!
• Spam - Sliced thin and fried to give the outsides a crispy texture
• Pineapple Chunks - Rinsed and drained or fresh is always best.

Real quick, let me clarify for those of you who may not have ever tried a Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe. Hawaiian Mac Salad with or without Spam is a mild sweet and tangy pasta salad. It can honestly be very bland compared to a traditional Deli Mac Salad which I also love by the way. And it's meant to be.

Hawaiian Pasta Salads are served on a traditional Lunch Plate BBQ with rich bold flavors. The macaroni salad balances the meal so nicely and it's a Hawaiian Favorite from Ono's a popular restaurant on the Islands.

How to make Hawaiian Macaroni Salad with Spam (Instant Pot Directions)

1. Pour water or broth in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker and add macaroni making sure to spread the pasta evenly on bottom. I prefer using broth as it infuses the pasta with added flavor.
2. Close lid and set to Manual (Pressure Cook) high for 4 minutes with a 4 minute Natural Release (NR) and then Quick Release (QR) the remaining pressure
3. Rinse pasta under cool water and drain
4. Add slivered carrots and Apple Cider Vinegar to pasta and toss. Place in refrigerator for 1 hour.
5. While pasta is chilling slice Spam into thin slices and fry in skillet over medium/high heat on both sides. Just long enough to toast the outsides to your liking.
6. Slice Fried Spam into bite size pieces and set aside
7. In a separate bowl combine mayonnaise, sugar and milk. Whisk to combine.
8. Pour over cooled pasta.
9. Add Fried Spam chunks and rinse and drain Pineapple, dice green onions and add. Toss to combine.
10. Dump creamy sauce on top before serving. Toss to coat.
    Add additional 1-2 Tbs Milk if needed for desired consistency
11. Serve cold

Tips and Tricks

1. Mayo: Always use quality Mayonnaise. There is a difference. Duke's Mayo has a deep rich flavor. Best Foods is always spot on with a more mild flavor in comparison. But choose a good quality mayonnaise for this recipe.
2. Vinegar: Add Apple Cider Vinegar to warm/hot pasta. The pasta will absorb the vinegar giving it a tangy taste.
3. Miracle Whip: Miracle Whip or a Salad Spread is not the same as Mayonnaise but can be substituted if you prefer.

Why Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot?

This recipe can easily be made on the stove by following the directions on the pasta for cooking times. Gluten Free Noodles can also be substituted. I find by cooking pasta in the Instant Pot the noodles can be infused with flavor from the broth easily. I can also set it and forget it which is ideal.

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What is a Hawaiian Lunch Plate?

A Hawaiian Lunch Plate is a common term used for this traditional grouping of dishes. Standard plate lunches consist of two scoops of white rice, macaroni salad, and an entrée.

Recipes on a Hawaiian Lunch Plate

• Huli Huli Chicken
• Instant Pot Ribs
• Steamed Rice
• Teriyaki Beef
• Teriyaki Sauce

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5 from 5 votes

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad with Spam

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad with Spam and Island Favorite served on a traditional lunch plate with bold BBQ Flavors. Easy Pasta Salad with a mild sweet flavor.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time4 minutes mins

Additional Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Devour Dinner

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8 Servings

Author: Devour Dinner

Ingredients

• 8 oz Macaroni Pasta
• 2 ½ Cups water or Broth
• 1 Carrot slivered - about ¼ cup
• 1 Bunch Green Onions - Diced
• 14 ounces Pineapple Chunks
• 12 ounces Spam
• ⅔ Cup Mayonnaise
• 2 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2-3 Tbs Milk
• 1 Tbs Sugar
• 1 teaspoon crushed garlic *optional
• Salt and Pepper to Taste

Instructions

• Instant Pot Directions
• Pour water or broth in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker and add macaroni making sure to spread the pasta evenly on bottom.
• Close lid and set to Manual (Pressure Cook) high for 4 minutes with a 4 minute Natural Release (NR) and then Quick Release (QR) the remaining pressure
• Rinse pasta under cool water and drain
• Add slivered carrots and Apple Cider Vinegar to pasta and toss. Place in refrigerator for 1 hour.
• In a separate bowl combine mayonnaise, sugar and milk. Whisk to combine. Set Aside
• Dice Green Onions, Drain Pineapple and set aside
• Slice Spam in thin slices and fry over medium/high heat until toasted to your liking on both sides. Slice into small bite size cubes.
• Add Pineapple, green onions and Spam cubes to cooled pasta and toss to combine
• Add Mayonnaise mixture to cooled pasta and toss to combined.
• Add garlic if desired
• Add additional 1-2 Tbs Milk if needed for desired consistency
• Stove Directions:
• Cook noodles according to package directions
• Rinse Pasta and drain. Add Carrot slivers and Apple Cider Vinegar and toss to coat. Place in refrigerator to cool for 1 hour
• In a separate bowl combine mayonnaise, sugar and milk. Whisk to combine.
• Dice Green Onions, Drain Pineapple and set aside
• Slice Spam in thin slices and fry over medium/high heat until toasted to your liking on both sides. Slice into small bite size cubes.
• Add Pineapple, green onions and Spam cubes to cooled pasta and toss to combine
• Add Mayonnaise mixture to cooled pasta and toss to combined.
• Add garlic if desired
• Toss to coat.
• Add additional 1-2 Tbs Milk if needed for desired consistency
• Serve Cold

Notes

Pasta is served best with Hawaiian Ribs, Shredded Pork, Teriyaki Chicken or Steak or with a Grilled Teriyaki Pineapple Burger.

Tips:

• Add Vinegar to warm pasta.  Pasta will absorb vinegar for a tangy taste
• Use quality mayonnaise
• Serve chilled

Have you made this recipe?Mention @devourdinner or tag us #devourdinner! Please leave a comment and rating below. Thank you!

Nutrition Disclaimer

All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 406kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 723mg | Potassium: 318mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 73IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg