This Ham Pasta Salad is loaded with pineapple and veggies. It is a refreshing play on my favorite Hawaiian Pizza flavors (which is not actually Hawaiian at all)!

A quick and easy homemade pineapple dressing is tossed with pasta, ham, and bell peppers for a uniquely delicious side dish!

It’s potluck perfect and makes a great side dish or light meal.

plated Ham and Pineapple Pasta Salad

A Fresh and Flavorful Pasta Salad

If you are looking for a pasta salad that’s a little bit different, this ham pasta salad is it!

  • Pasta – Use any medium shaped pasta, farfalle, shells, and rotini are favorites.
  • Add Ins: In this easy recipe, ham and pineapple are the stars, inspired by flavors on a Hawaiian pizza. Red peppers add crunch and color while green onions add flavor.
  • The dressing is a quick creamy pineapple dressing and it’s so good that I always double it for salads (it’s excellent over strawberry spinach salad too).

This recipe is not a Hawaiian dish, and it is not Hawaiian pasta salad like a Macaroni Salad found on a typical Hawaiian Plate Lunch. In a Hawaiian plate lunch, generally, macaroni salad is a tangy combination of mayo & macaroni, sometimes with a few other ingredients. You can find a great Hawaiian macaroni salad here.  

ingredients to make Ham and Pineapple Pasta Salad

The Pineapple Dressing

You can use almost any dressing on pasta salad. This recipe includes a fresh and zesty pineapple dressing. Making homemade dressing is very quick and easy, and the flavor is much better than store-bought dressing.

  • Mayonnaise and sour cream are the creamy base
  • Pineapple (and a bit of cider vinegar) add tang and freshness
  • Dijon and garlic powder add flavor while honey balances out the dressing.

Other Dressing Options

I recommend the homemade dressing, it’s quick and easy! If you’d like to use a bottled dressing for this pasta salad, I would suggest honey mustard dressing, coleslaw dressing, or poppy seed dressing. Something with a bit of sweetness will pair well.

ingredients in a bowl with a bowl of dressing beside it to make Ham and Pineapple Pasta Salad

Tips for Pasta Salads

  • Don’t overcook the pasta, it will soften as it soaks up the dressing.
  • Add extra dressing, as some will be absorbed by the pasta.
  • Pasta salad is best made at least a couple of hours ahead of time so the flavors have a chance to blend.
  • Season the salad generously.
Ham and Pineapple Pasta Salad in a glass bowl

Perfect Pasta Salads

Did your family love this Ham & Pineapple Pasta Salad? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!

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plated Ham and Pineapple Pasta Salad
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Ham & Pineapple Pasta Salad

Ham and pineapple Pasta Salad is a quick and easy side dish. Homemade pineapple dressing is tossed with pasta, ham, and bell peppers for a uniquely delicious salad!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings 8 servings
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Ingredients  

  • 8 ounces rotini or bow tie pasta
  • 1 can pineapple tidbits (14 ounces) with juice reserved for dressing
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 2 cups diced ham
  • 1 green onion thinly sliced

Dressing

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • cup pineapple juice
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • In a large pot, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and run it under cold water to cool.
  • In a bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth.
  • In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, ham, pineapple, bell pepper, green onion, and dressing. Gently toss to combine.
  • Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Stir before serving again. 
Customize the salad by adding your favorite ingredients, such as cherry tomatoes, additional bell peppers, or cucumbers.
Don’t overcook the pasta, it will soften as it soaks up the dressing. Add extra dressing, as some will be absorbed by the pasta.
4.97 from 96 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 241 | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 489mg | Potassium: 154mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 570IU | Vitamin C: 26.9mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.9mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Pasta, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
plated Ham & Pineapple Pasta Salad with writing
Ham & Pineapple Pasta Salad with writing
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ingredients to make Ham & Pineapple Pasta Salad in a bowl and plated dish with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. I have made this salad before and it is a wonderful change from the every-day pasta salads. My family really enjoyed this one.5 stars

  2. This recipe is a Keeper! I will use spicy coleman’s mustard next time to add flavor/kick.
    I did make it another time with left over Chinese pork strips, diced, only because I didn’t have ham available. It was another great option. Thank You5 stars

  3. I used the Healthy Greens rotini pasta. Spicy Colemans mustard, and extra vinegar. It’s so good! Thank you!5 stars

  4. I made your Hawaiian Bow Tie Salad today but when I was making it I discovered that I had no ham. So I found I had some baked Turkey Breast so I shredded it up and used it in this salad and OMG this salad was to die for! Thank you so much for sharing it and I know it’s going to be a favorite in my house!

  5. I made the vegan version of this, vegan mayo, vegan sour cream, and added some salt to make up for the lack of ham. I also added cucumbers and yellow, orange and red bell peppers for more crunch and color. It turned out fantastic! Thanks for the recipe :)5 stars

    1. Hi Stephanie, where do you find vegan mayo, vegan sour cream ? Your version sounds exactly how we eat :) Thank you.

  6. Has anyone tried making this salad with cubed mozzarella or provolone cheese? Or would the cheese ruin the salad texture/taste?   I’m just wondering, because my favorite part of hawaiian pizza mix is the cheese!
    Thanks-Kim :)

    1. I think mozzarella would be delicious in this salad, it has a nice soft texture and mild flavor. Let us know how it goes for you!

  7. My new favorite pasta salad! My husband said it is his favorite also! This is so refreshing and full of flavor. I have also made it with whole wheat pasta, I am not a fan of whole wheat pasta, but it was really yummy in this pasta salad. Thank you for sharing this recipe!5 stars

  8. I made this recipe for a Hawaiian theme potluck. It turned out so good and everyone enjoyed it. There was none left and I was asked for the recipe! Thanks.5 stars

  9. This is a keeper! It is so fresh and a delicious change of pace from my usual pasta salad. My family raves about how much they loved it!5 stars

  10. Well I just got finished putting it together, I’ll let you know what my family thinks tomorrow. Looks delicious 

  11. I’ve read all the comments, I’m making this for Easter, someone mentioned dry mustard, the recipe called for Dijon mustard, what’s up with that,and a few said it was bland, how an you fix that 

      1. Well, I just got finished putting it together, I’ll let you know what my family says tomorrow looks delicious 

  12. Excellent spring to summer pasta salad! It’s light, but flavorful. I did add a little more green onion. I’m making it for a bridal shower luncheon with a Hawaiian theme. Hopefully, our guests will enjoy it as much as I do! 
    Delicious!5 stars

  13. Thanks for this amazing recipe. I prepared this side dish and my guests loved it n came back for seconds. I loved it just as much, it was so creamy n yummy with the right flavors and that pineapple gave it that extra punch. I’m definitely adding this recipe to my collection. xoxo5 stars