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A bowl of Hawaiian pasta salad with pineapple.
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Hawaiian Pasta Salad (with Pineapple)

This Hawaiian Pasta Salad is a sweet and tangy side dish easy to prep in about 20 minutes. The perfect make-ahead recipe, we add pineapple bits as a twist on the classic recipe. Serve it at picnics, barbecues, or any gathering!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: holiday, holidays, pasta
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 141kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 8 ounces pasta elbow, rotini, penne, fusilli, bowtie, cellentani
  • ½ cup half-and-half or whole milk
  • 1 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 ½-2 tablespoons sugar or brown sugar optional
  • seasoning salt or salt and black pepper amount as desired
  • 6 large boiled eggs peeled and diced
  • ½ cup diced red bell pepper
  • ½ cup diced cucumber
  • ½ cup shredded carrots
  • ½ cup diced celery
  • ¼ cup sliced green onions
  • 2 cups pineapple tidbits fresh or drained from a can

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  • In a large bowl, mix together mayonnaise or salad dressing, half-and-half, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar (if using), and seasoning salt or salt and pepper. Adjust to taste.
  • To the bowl, add boiled eggs red bell pepper, cucumber, carrots, green onions, celery and pineapple tidbits.
  • Add the pasta and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
  • Give the salad another gentle toss before serving.

Notes

Expert Tips

  • Boil the pasta to al dente. Look at the box instructions, this is a foolproof method to make sure your salad isn't mushy.
  • Use canned pineapple or fresh. You can chop ripe fresh pineapple or simply drain a can of pineapple tidbits.
  • Chill for at least an hour before enjoying. This helps the dressing to marinate the noodles with bold flavor.
  • Add protein if desired. This pasta salad is delicious with ham or shredded chicken.
Storage: 
Store this pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. We like to let it sit out for 30 minutes prior to serving to take the chill off. We don't recommend freezing this macaroni salad as it will change the texture.
Yes! This is a wonderful recipe to make in advance. You can even make it the night before entertaining and it will be rich in flavor the next day. It's also easy to transport to any party too.

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 167mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1170IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 0.4mg
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