Ham and Pineapple Pasta Salad
Leftover ham is my savior this evening. If you don’t feel like going out and feeling just making anything you have left, this Ham and Pineapple Pasta Salad is your redeemer! Check your fridge and pantry, take out your pot and gear up to make a delicious dinner. If you don’t have fresh pineapple, use the canned one. Chop some onion, celery, shred the cheese, take out the frozen peas, cook the pasta, cut the ham into bite-sized pieces, and prep the mayo mixture. That’s it!
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what is a pantry day?
For me, a pantry day is a day you feel like just grabbing what you already have and making wonders with it. Make something with your leftover ham, chicken, turkey, or make some vegetarian meal and use beans or potatoes. Use whatever dried pasta you like and cook it according to the package. This is the day you chill and tell yourself to think out of the box. Make something easy but flavorful. I know your next question, “how do you make something easy but flavorful”? Well, if you’re reading this recipe you’re most likely love to cook and for sure have something in your fridge and pantry that you’re familiar with and you’re able to make something quick and satisfying. Make sense? Ok, let’s do this!
can i use other protein?
- The answer is yes! I used ham because that’s what I have left from our Easter Sunday brunch. If you have leftover rotisserie chicken or any cooked chicken that’s wonderful too.
- Or if you have deli meat like turkey that’s perfect also.
- You can also add boiled eggs, cut through the eggs with a fork, and mix everything together.
not a big fan of pineapple?
- You can totally eliminate pineapple or use ripened fruit like mango or peaches, anything that adds sweetness and texture to the salad is amazing.
- Apples will be great for this salad too.
- If you want to use dried fruit like cranberries or raisins, it should work also.
- Grapes are wonderful, cut them in half and serve the salad on a bed of lettuce. Kind of like a Waldorf salad.
can I make this salad a vegetarian salad?
- Absolutely! You have a choice of adding baked potatoes, garbanzo, or white beans, or boiled eggs.
- This salad is very versatile, just think of pantry day, no limit to what you can think of, and push your creativity to feed that hungry tummy of yours.
- You can also add nuts like walnuts, almonds, pistachios, or pecans. Your choice.
These are the ingredients for the dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, less for less tangy
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Ham and Pineapple Pasta Salad
Equipment
- Stockpot for cooking the pasta
- Mixing bowl
- Silicone spatula for mixing the salad
- knife
- cutting board
Ingredients
- 8 oz. dried pasta, cook according to package
- 1 pound cooked ham, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup fresh or canned pineapple, chunks
- 1/2 cup celery, small diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed
- 1 cup cheddar or Colby Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey, more if you'd like it sweeter
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, less if you'd like less tangy
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine all ingredients. Use a spatula, toss to coat. Serve cold.
Notes
- This is a very simple salad. All you need is to prep your veggies. Chop them and combine everything.
- If you like to make it sweeter, then add another tablespoon of honey
- If you like less tangy, then use just a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. The vinegar is just to balance the flavor. It helps to cut the sweetness from the pineapple and honey.
Did you make this recipe? Tag @leanbellaskitchen and hashtag it #leanbellaskitchen
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ABOUT JEN
Welcome to my virtual home. I’m a mom of two wonderful girls and a Community Education Culinary Instructor. I love to prepare and cook home-cooked meals. Cooking and planning your meals might sound like another chore added to your already long list of things to do. Believe me, I’ve been there. However, cooking and prepping meals will save you money, time, and you know what goes into your food. Definitely worth the effort. Read more…
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