Sweet Pineapple Pasta Salad is a creamy, textured dish that balances sweet and savory flavors. Tender bowtie pasta is tossed with crushed pineapple, grapes, celery, green onion, sliced almonds, and cooked chicken, all coated in a homemade creamy dressing. This refreshing pasta salad is easy to make and always a hit at gatherings — perfect for potlucks, picnics, and family meals.

Sweet Pasta Salad

This Sweet Pineapple Pasta Salad gets its signature sweetness from well-drained crushed pineapple folded into the base. The pineapple pairs beautifully with juicy red grapes, crisp celery, and sautéed or rotisserie chicken.

Sliced almonds and green onions add crunch and brightness, while a simple creamy dressing ties everything together. The combination of textures and flavors makes this salad a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to prepare and scales easily for larger groups.

Make a big batch to feed a hungry crowd — it stores well and stays flavorful for several days when refrigerated.

What Noodles to Use

Bowtie (farfalle) pasta works especially well in this salad because its shape holds dressing and ingredients. It’s my preferred choice for pasta salads, but you can substitute elbow macaroni, rotini, or medium shells if that’s what you have on hand.

Choose a pasta shape that offers plenty of nooks for the dressing and mix-ins so each bite is well balanced.

Added Protein

To make the salad more filling, this recipe calls for cooked chicken — you can use grilled, baked, or shredded rotisserie chicken. The original version came from a family recipe collection and included chicken as the protein.

If you prefer, cubed ham is a delicious alternative that complements the pineapple’s sweetness. Either option works well; choose what suits your taste or what you have available.

Other Crowd-Favorite Salad Recipes

Try these other popular salads when planning a menu: Lemon Tarragon Pasta Salad, Creamy Bowtie Pasta Salad, Instant Pot Potato Salad, Cherry Fluff Salad, and Chinese Chicken Salad.

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Yield: 15 servings

Sweet Pineapple Pasta Salad

This sweet pineapple pasta salad combines crushed pineapple, grapes, celery, almonds, green onions, and a creamy homemade dressing for a flavorful, crowd-pleasing side or main dish.

Prep Time
15 minutes

Cook Time
10 minutes

Additional Time
5 minutes

Total Time
30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Pasta Salad

2 – 16 ounce packages bowtie pasta
4 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
2 (20 ounce) cans crushed pineapple, well drained
3 cups chopped celery
1 cup sliced almonds
4 bunches green onion, diced
3 cups red grapes
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

For the Creamy Dressing

2 cups mayonnaise
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Prepare the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth.
In a large bowl, combine the chicken, drained pineapple, chopped celery, almonds, green onion, grapes, and parmesan.
Add the cooked pasta and gently toss to combine.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is coated evenly.
Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to one week.

Notes

If you’d like to substitute ham for the chicken, the ham complements the pineapple nicely. You can also swap cashews for the almonds if preferred.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 522
Total Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 25g
Cholesterol: 50mg
Sodium: 452mg
Carbohydrates: 43g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 20g
Protein: 16g