5 from 42 votes
Easy Hawaiian Pasta Salad
Easy Hawaiian Pasta Salad combines cooked elbow macaroni with cubed ham, pineapple chunks, red bell pepper, carrots, and green onions, all tossed in a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, pineapple juice, mustard, and apple cider vinegar. The salad offers a mix of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors with varied textures, suitable for cold serving at gatherings or meals.
Servings:
12
Calories:
300 kcal
Course:
Side Dish, Salad, Lunch, Others
Ingredients
Cold Pasta Salad Ingredients:
- 1 lb elbow macaroni or other pasta shape of your choice, uncooked, 450g
- 1 - 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 4 cups ham cubed
- 28 ounces pineapple chunks drained and juice reserved for salad dressing
- 2 red bell pepper deseeded and chopped
- 2 carrot peeled and cut into matchsticks
- 4 green onions sliced
- salt
- black pepper
Pineapple Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 4 tablespoons sour cream
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice reserved from the pineapple tins
- 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard or Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
To Make Hawaiian Pasta Salad:
- Cook pasta according to packet instructions (you will want it to be al dente).
- Drain the pasta and add in a couple of teaspoons of olive oil to keep it from sticking. Allow pasta to cool.
- Meanwhile, make the Hawaiian pasta salad pineapple dressing by adding all ingredients together and whisk till smooth. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, ham, pineapple bits, red pepper, carrots, green onions, salt and pepper. Then add in the dressing and mix the Hawaiian mac salad till combined.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Cover the Hawaiian macaroni salad and chill until you are ready to serve your cold pasta salad.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Add 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil to the drained pasta while it cools to prevent sticking.
- Whole grain mustard provides a subtle bite compared to smooth Dijon mustard in the dressing.
- Any pasta shape can be used, including whole wheat or gluten-free varieties.
- Using half-fat mayonnaise reduces calories but full-fat mayonnaise can be used if preferred.
- The salad contains approximately 7 Freestyle points per serving.
Nutrition Information
Calories
300kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
45g
(15%)
Protein
13g
(26%)
Fat
8g
(12%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
25mg
(8%)
Sodium
664mg
(28%)
Potassium
276mg
(6%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
14g
(28%)
Vitamin A
2430IU
(49%)
Vitamin C
33.9mg
(38%)
Calcium
33mg
(3%)
Iron
1.2mg
(7%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 300
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 300kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 45g | 15% |
| Protein | 13g | 26% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 25mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 664mg | 28% |
| Potassium | 276mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 14g | 28% |
| Vitamin A | 2430IU | 49% |
| Vitamin C | 33.9mg | 38% |
| Calcium | 33mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1.2mg | 7% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.