Description
Hawaiian pasta salad brings tropical sunshine to classic comfort food with its tangy pineapple and creamy dressing. Rich mac combines sweet ham and zesty notes, creating a refreshing island-inspired side perfect for summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked ham, diced
- 1 (14 oz / 397 g) can pineapple tidbits, drained (reserve juice)
- 8 oz / 226 g rotini or bowtie pasta
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup shredded carrots (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced thin
- 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
- Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta in generously salted water until perfectly tender, then immediately rinse under cold water to halt cooking and create a refreshing temperature. Drain thoroughly.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk mayo, sour cream, pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, vinegar, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Ingredient Assembly: In a spacious mixing vessel, combine cooled pasta with diced ham, chunky pineapple pieces, vibrant bell peppers, sliced green onions, and shredded carrots, ensuring a colorful and balanced mixture.
- Final Fusion: Drizzle prepared dressing over the pasta medley, gently folding ingredients to guarantee uniform coating and flavor distribution. Ensure each component is delicately embraced by the creamy dressing.
- Chilling and Serving: Seal the salad and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour, allowing flavors to meld and intensify. Prior to serving, taste and fine-tune seasoning if necessary, creating a harmonious Hawaiian-inspired pasta experience.
Notes
- Select short, sturdy pasta like elbow macaroni or shells that will hold dressing well and prevent soggy texture.
- Drain pineapple chunks thoroughly to avoid watery salad; pat chunks dry with paper towels for best consistency.
- Swap ham with rotisserie chicken, turkey, or plant-based protein for dietary preferences without compromising tropical flavor profile.
- Allow salad to marinate minimum 2-3 hours instead of just one hour, enabling ingredients to blend and develop richer taste experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg