Hawaiian Pasta Salad Ham Pineapple (Printable Version)

Tropical pasta mix with ham, pineapple, crisp veggies, and a creamy dressing for refreshing meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz rotini or bow tie pasta
02 - 1 teaspoon salt for boiling water

→ Salad Mix-ins

03 - 7 oz cooked ham, diced
04 - 8 oz canned pineapple tidbits, drained
05 - 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
06 - ½ cup celery, finely chopped
07 - ½ cup red onion, finely diced
08 - ½ cup frozen peas, thawed

→ Dressing

09 - ½ cup ranch dressing
10 - ⅓ cup mayonnaise
11 - 1 tablespoon pineapple juice reserved from can
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
13 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
14 - ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste

→ Garnish

15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped optional

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain through a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow to cool completely.
02 - Transfer cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add diced ham, pineapple tidbits, red bell pepper, celery, red onion, and thawed peas. Mix gently to combine.
03 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, mayonnaise, reserved pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, black pepper, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
04 - Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with dressing.
05 - Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
06 - Remove from refrigeration and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro just before serving if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes, which means you can throw it together the morning of your gathering without stress.
  • The pineapple juice in the dressing is a secret that makes everything taste brighter and less heavy than regular creamy salads.
  • It actually tastes better the next day, so it's the perfect make-ahead dish that takes the pressure off last-minute cooking.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the pasta with cold water, or you'll end up with gummy clumps instead of individual pieces coated in dressing.
  • That pineapple juice is not optional, it's what separates a good version of this salad from a generic creamy pasta salad that tastes like every other one.
03 -
  • Buy pre-diced ham from the deli counter instead of using canned ham, it's more tender and actually tastes like real meat.
  • The lime juice is what keeps this from tasting too heavy and sweet, so don't skip it or substitute it with lemon, the flavor is genuinely different.
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