Description
Creamy Hawaiian pasta salad delights with tropical flavors of pineapple, ham, and sweet vegetables nestled in a tangy mayonnaise dressing. Cool pasta perfection waits for you at summer potlucks and backyard barbecues.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cups diced cooked ham
Pasta and Produce:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) rotini or bowtie pasta
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 green onions, sliced thin
- ½ cup shredded carrots (optional)
Fruit and Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 (14 ounces/396 grams) can pineapple tidbits, drained (reserve juice)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup reserved pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Immerse pasta in generously salted boiling water, cooking until tender yet firm, then immediately transfer to a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water to halt cooking process and create a refreshing temperature.
- Craft a vibrant dressing by whisking mayonnaise, sour cream, tangy pineapple juice, zesty Dijon mustard, subtle vinegar, golden honey, aromatic garlic powder, delicate salt, and cracked pepper in a compact mixing vessel until silky smooth.
- Gather a spacious mixing bowl and combine the chilled pasta with succulent diced ham, juicy pineapple chunks, crisp bell pepper, verdant green onions, and optional sweet shredded carrots.
- Cascade the meticulously prepared dressing over the pasta medley, gently folding with a soft spatula to ensure every morsel becomes luxuriously coated with the creamy mixture.
- Seal the salad within a container and nestle in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for a minimum of one hour before serving, with an optional final taste adjustment to perfect the seasoning profile.
Notes
- Swap mayo for Greek yogurt to create a lighter, healthier version of the pasta salad with reduced calories and increased protein.
- Use gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly option that maintains the same delicious tropical flavor profile.
- Choose low-sodium ham or replace with grilled chicken for those watching salt intake or preferring alternative protein sources.
- Add extra crunch by incorporating toasted macadamia nuts or sliced almonds for a Hawaiian-inspired texture boost.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 150mg