Hawaiian Pasta Salad
Hawaiian Pasta Salad is a bright, refreshing dish bursting with tropical flavors combining tender pasta, juicy pineapple, crunchy veggies, and a tangy creamy dressing. Quick to prepare and family-friendly, it’s perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or casual meals, delivering a perfect balance of sweet and savory tastes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free pasta used)
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Produce
- 2 cups cooked rotini or shell pasta
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (well drained if canned)
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 to 2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook and cool the pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until just tender, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool completely.
- Prepare the fresh ingredients: Dice pineapple, chop red bell pepper, slice green onions, and chop celery into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey or agave nectar, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth and combined.
- Combine all ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss cooled pasta with pineapple and all chopped vegetables. Pour dressing over and mix evenly to coat thoroughly.
- Chill and serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld before serving. Toss gently again before serving.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness after chilling.
- Drain pineapple well to avoid watery salad.
- Adjust honey or agave amount to sweeten according to taste and pineapple sweetness.
- Prepare the salad a few hours ahead to enhance flavor melding.
- Toss gently to keep pineapple and vegetables intact and avoid crushing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Hawaiian pasta salad, tropical pasta salad, summer salad, pineapple pasta salad, easy pasta salad
Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/hawaiian-pasta-salad/
