Macaroni Fruit Salad (Filipino)
Enjoy a classic Filipino dessert with macaroni fruit salad, a creamy blend of pasta, sweet fruits, and rich dressing. It’s an easy recipe for celebrations or a refreshing treat anytime!
This Filipino style macaroni fruit salad has always been a staple at family gatherings for me. There’s something magical about how the creamy dressing, tender macaroni, and sweet, colorful fruits come together to create a dish that’s both nostalgic and satisfying. It’s the kind of recipe that brings people together, reminding us of celebrations, laughter, and the simple joys of sharing food with loved ones.
One of the reasons I love making macaroni fruit salad is how easy it is to prepare. It doesn’t require fancy skills or hard-to-find ingredients, yet the result is always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a potluck, celebrating the holidays, or simply looking for a refreshing dessert, this dish fits the bill. It’s easy to customize, too! You can mix in your favorite fruits, adjust the sweetness, or even add things like coconut or marshmallows.
What makes this salad extra special is the ability of this macaroni and cheese treat to surprise. I’ve seen first-timers hesitate at the idea of mixing pasta with fruit, but one bite is all it takes to win them over. It’s creamy, slightly sweet, and has just the right amount of texture from the fruits and macaroni. For me, it’s not just a dessert; it’s a conversation starter, a trip down memory lane, and a reminder of how food can make moments unforgettable.
Items Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to make a creamy and festive macaroni fruit salad:
- Elbow macaroni: Provides a soft and chewy base that balances the sweetness of the fruits.
- Canned fruit cocktail: Adds a medley of flavors and textures with its variety of sweet fruits.
- Canned tropical fruit: Enhances the salad with an exotic and refreshing fruity twist.
- Canned pineapple chunks: Brings a tangy sweetness that complements the creaminess of the salad.
- Red palm fruit: Adds vibrant color and a subtle sweetness for visual appeal and taste.
- Green palm fruit: Contrasts the red palm fruit, creating a festive look while adding a mild sweetness.
- Nata de coco: Contributes a unique chewy texture and mild sweetness to the salad.
- Mild cheddar cheese: Balances the sweetness with a hint of savory richness and creaminess.
- Nestlé table cream: Creates a velvety texture and a rich, creamy base for the salad.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Adds sweetness and a thick, luscious consistency to the dressing.
- Mayonnaise: Balances the flavors with a slight tang and creaminess, tying all the ingredients together.
Tools you’ll need
Before starting the recipe, you’ll want to have all your kitchen essentials ready. I recommend having the following items:
Ways To Customize
Here are some simple ways to customize your macaroni fruit salad to suit your taste and make it uniquely yours:
- Switch Up the Pasta: Use shells, penne, or other small pasta shapes for a simple change from the classic macaroni.
- Add Fresh Fruits: Mix in fresh mango, grapes, or diced apples for added flavor and natural sweetness.
- Experiment with Cheeses: Swap mild cheddar with cream cheese or mozzarella for a creamier or milder flavor.
- Incorporate Nuts: Sprinkle chopped cashews, almonds, or walnuts for added crunch and nutty richness.
- Try Different Sweeteners: Replace condensed milk with yogurt mixed with honey or a touch of maple syrup for a less processed option.
- Boost the Color: Add more nata de coco or use colorful jelly cubes for a festive look.
- Include Marshmallows: Toss in mini marshmallows, like the ones used in my hot chocolate dip, for extra sweetness and a pillowy texture.
- Go Tropical: Add shredded coconut or a splash of coconut cream to enhance the tropical vibe.
- Make It Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream and sweetened almond milk for a creamy yet dairy-free version.
- Add a Zesty Twist: Squeeze in a bit of lemon or lime juice to brighten up the flavors.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below.
How To Make It
To start, bring 2 quarts of lightly salted water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat. Add pasta and cook 1 minute less than package directions.
Remove macaroni from heat, rinse, and drain well. Let cool completely.
In a bowl, combine cooked macaroni, fruit, nata de coco, cheese, table cream, condensed milk, and mayonnaise.
Stir gently to combine.
Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
Note
Ensure the pasta is fully cooled before mixing to prevent the dressing from separating. Draining the canned fruits thoroughly also avoids a watery salad.
Storage
To store macaroni fruit salad, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Simply give it a quick stir before serving to ensure the dressing is evenly distributed. If the salad thickens in the fridge, you can mix in a splash of table cream to restore its creamy texture.
Helpful Hints
Pro tip: Chill Before Serving
Allow your macaroni fruit salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This gives the flavors time to meld together, resulting in a more delicious and well-balanced treat.
Here are some helpful hints to ensure your macaroni fruit salad turns out perfectly creamy, flavorful, and delicious every time:
- Cook the Pasta Perfectly: Make sure the macaroni is cooked al dente to keep it from becoming too soft and mushy when mixed with the creamy dressing.
- Cool Ingredients Completely: Allow the cooked pasta and canned fruits to cool fully before combining them to keep the salad fresh and creamy.
- Drain Fruits Thoroughly: Removing excess liquid from the canned fruits prevents the salad from becoming watery.
- Balance the Sweetness: Taste as you mix the dressing and adjust the sweetness or tanginess by tweaking the amount of condensed milk or mayonnaise.
- Make It Ahead: Preparing the salad a few hours in advance allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Serving Suggestions
Macaroni fruit salad can be served as a side dish that pairs wonderfully with a variety of main courses, making it an excellent choice for family gatherings or parties. It complements air fryer marinated chicken breasts perfectly by adding a refreshing, creamy contrast to the tangy marinade flavor. You can also serve it alongside roasted vegetables for a light, satisfying meal that balances both textures and flavors.
For a more festive touch, you can serve it in individual bowls or small cups as a dessert. If you’re hosting a buffet-style meal, a large serving bowl with a decorative spoon allows guests to help themselves, and you can even place a few decorative fruits around the salad to make it more inviting. During the holidays, I like to put it in small clear cups and add it to the dessert table along with candy cane fudge and chocolate peppermint fudge pieces.
The creamy fruit salad also works great as a make-ahead dish, so you can prepare it the night before and have it ready to serve the next day. It’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or any event where you want to offer something sweet without the hassle of last-minute preparation. Pair it with a cold drink like iced tea, lemonade, or iced white chocolate mocha to complete the meal and keep the vibe light and refreshing.
FAQs
Recipe
Macaroni Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup elbow macaroni cooked
- 30 ounces canned fruit cocktail drained
- 15 ounces canned tropical fruit drained
- 8 ounces canned pineapple chunks drained
- ¼ cup red palm fruit
- ¼ cup green palm fruit
- ¼ cup nata de coco
- ½ cup mild cheddar cheese cubed
- 14 ounces canned Nestlé table cream
- 14 ounces canned sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, bring 2 quarts of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook 1 minute less than package directions.
- Remove from heat, rinse, and drain well. Let cool completely.
- In a bowl, combine cooked macaroni, fruit, nata de coco, cheese, table cream, condensed milk, and mayonnaise. Stir gently to combine.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Equipment
- Large pot
- Colander
- large bowl
- Wooden spoon
