One Pot Hawaiian Pasta (30 Minute Recipe) + Video
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Hawaiian Pasta is a quick and easy 30 minute dinner that packs all the punch of your favorite Hawaiian pizza flavors. Crispy bacon, browned ham, sweet bell pepper, and juicy pineapple are combined with tender cellentani pasta in a flavorful one pot meal.
To take it over the top — lots of cheese! It’s an easy-to-make, hearty dinner that will leave everyone begging for seconds. Have fun with this simple recipe – it’s sure to be a huge hit!
Pineapple pasta with bacon is a great dish that combines sweet and savory flavors, into a hearty, very cheesy, and incredibly delicious pasta dinner.
We love tropical flavors, especially in dishes like Hawaiian macaroni salad and Grilled Hawaiian Beef Kabobs.
I think that this makes the perfect side dish or main meal. I’ve eaten this Hawaiian macaroni salad recipe both ways, and it never disappoints!
Every bite is loaded with extra flavor, giving it the perfect little kick of deliciousness. Every family member of mine who has ever tried it agrees that it has the perfect texture – and the tangy flavor can’t be topped.
Once you see how simple the cooking process is, you’ll be hooked on this Hawaiian mac salad recipe.
Not only that, but you can easily make and take this to summer BBQs, family gatherings, and more to share this amazing Hawaiian macaroni salad with others.
Gather the simple ingredients needed below to get started. Amazing recipes like this should be made asap!
Hawaiian Pasta
A tasty dinner that will be a hit with kids and grown-ups alike, One Pot Hawaiian Pasta is sure to make it into your regular meal rotation.
For an added bonus? This pasta with bacon is incredibly easy to make with very little cleanup afterward!
If you are looking for other one pan pasta recipes, I highly recommend this Cheesy Pizza Pasta and this Greek Chicken One Pot Pasta.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Bacon & Cubed Ham – I highly recommend that you use both as they have different textures and flavors.
Feel free to use leftover holiday ham — the flavors from my maple glazed recipe would be extra tasty with this pineapple pasta! - Red Bell Peppers – Any color will do, really, though yellow and orange are much sweeter than green.
- Pineapple – Opt for canned pineapple chunks or tidbits and drain the juices really well. You can use fresh pineapple as well, but canned is easier.
- Tomato Sauce – I like to use San Marzano whenever possible. This variety of tomatoes is sweeter, not that acidic, and the flavor is amazing.
- Cheese – Mozzarella and sharp cheddar make a tasty combo! You can swap either for your favorite — just use freshly grated so it melts down really well.
- Dried Basil – This is optional, but it adds a nice, subtle flavor to Hawaii pasta.
You’ll also need to have dry elbow macaroni to make this Hawaiian style macaroni salad.
Hawaii Pasta Tips and Tricks
- Save Some Time. Buy cooked bacon or bacon crumbles, crisp the strips in the oven or air fryer, or skip it altogether if you don’t like bacon.
- Make It Extra Creamy. Stir 1 cup of cream (not milk!) into the cellentani pasta while it is cooking. This gives the perfect creamy texture.
- Stir Often. This will help prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Too Dry? If the pasta absorbs all the broth, you can add 1 cup of water to continue cooking and avoid from drying it out.
- Add A Kick. A dash of red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce will certainly spice things up!
Don’t forget that you can add toppings as well like diced green onions or diced red onion. A little bit adds a lot of flavor to your lunch plate or dinner meal!
Storing and Reheating Pasta With Bacon
Allow your Hawaii pasta to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days.
Leftovers are best reheated on the stove with a splash or two of water or broth. Stir frequently until the cheese is nice and melty and everything is warmed through.
Hawaiian Pasta FAQ
What is a substitute for cellentani pasta?
Choose any other noodle with a similar size!
Penne and rigatoni are the most common alternatives, but even good ol’ fashioned macaroni would be tasty in this pineapple pasta recipe.
Can you cook pasta with bacon?
Yes and no. Certainly don’t add raw bacon to a pot of boiling noodles!
You can, however, include cooked bacon pieces in a one pot meal where the pasta cooks with the other ingredients.
What to serve with Hawaiian pasta?
Since this dish has all the flavors of the popular pizza, the side dish options are pretty similar! It’s hearty enough for a meal on its own, but a side salad never hurts.
You can even pair pineapple pasta with sweet Hawaiian rolls or homemade breadsticks!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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One Pot Hawaiian Pasta + Video
Ingredients
- 8 slices smoked bacon, chopped
- 16 ounces cubed ham
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 20 ounces pineapple tidbits, drained
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 8 ounces dry cellentani pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth, low sodium
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Slice bacon into small pieces.
- Place a large cast iron pan or deep skillet over medium heat, add bacon to it while the pan is still cold. Cook bacon until crisp stirring occasionally.
- Remove bacon from the pan once crispy and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain. Discard the bacon grease from the pan, leaving only about 1-2 tablespoons.
- Add cubed ham to skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until ham is browned, for about 2-3 minutes.
- Add chopped red bell pepper and half of the pineapple tidbits. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
- Add minced garlic, basil, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Add tomato sauce, pasta and chicken broth, stir to combine.
- Bring mixture to a boil, then cover with a lid and cook over low-medium heat until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir often, to make sure pasta does not stick to the bottom of the pan, if needed add more broth or water, 1 cup at a time.
- When pasta is cooked, cover with cheese and stir to combine. Remove from heat.
- Stir in remaining pineapple if desired and reserved crispy bacon.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
Video
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published May 2018, updated and republished January 2025
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I saw this a few times on facebook and decided to give it a try. It was wonderful! The flavors were amazing and I have added it to my special recipes book!
ha anyone tried it without cheese, for the lactose intolerant people?
Although a tad bit more pricey…I have used the lactose free cheese….I do like it
All that’s missing is onion!