Hawaiian Pasta Salad: The Sweet & Savory BBQ Side You'll Love
Juicy pineapple, savory ham, and crunchy veggies tossed in a super creamy tropical dressing.
This Hawaiian pasta salad hits the perfect sweet and savory note for any backyard cookout or picnic. Just mix your favorite noodles with diced pineapple, ham, and crisp vegetables, then toss it all in a tangy mayo-pineapple dressing.
Ingredients: 1 pound of your favorite pasta (gluten-free works great too), 1 cup of diced pineapple, 1 cup of diced ham (optional), 1 cup of chopped red bell pepper, 1 cup of shredded or finely diced carrots, ¼ cup of grated red onion, and ¼ cup of thinly sliced green onions. For the dressing, grab ½ cup of mayonnaise, ¼ cup of pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons of sugar (optional), and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
To start, drop your pasta into a large pot of boiling salted water and cook it according to the package instructions until it is perfectly al dente. Drain the noodles into a colander and immediately rinse them thoroughly under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool them down instantly. Set them aside to drain completely.
Next, grab your largest mixing bowl and combine the cooled pasta, diced pineapple, savory ham cubes, red bell pepper, carrots, grated red onion, and sliced green onions.
In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, and sugar, seasoning it with a generous pinch of salt and black pepper until the dressing is completely smooth and creamy.
Pour the tropical dressing straight over the pasta and veggie mixture. Grab a couple of large spoons and gently fold everything together until every single noodle and piece of fruit is beautifully and evenly coated.
Tightly cover the bowl and slide it into the fridge for at least one hour before serving. This chill time lets the noodles drink in the tangy dressing and allows the sweet and savory flavors to meld together perfectly. Serve it cold, right out of the fridge, topped with an extra scatter of fresh green onions or pineapple chunks if you want that extra pop of color.
