Experience the ultimate in convenience and flavor with this Hawaiian One Pan Pasta. Inspired by the beloved Hawaiian pizza, this effortless dish combines savory ham, crispy bacon, sweet pineapple, and gooey melted cheese, all cooked in a single pan for minimal cleanup.
In the bustling rhythm of modern life, the quest for quick, satisfying, and easy-to-clean-up meals often feels like an impossible mission. That’s where the magic of one-pan dinners truly shines. Imagine a delicious, wholesome meal that not only tantalizes your taste buds but also leaves you with barely any dishes to wash. It’s a dream come true for busy weeknights, and this Hawaiian One Pan Pasta is about to become your new favorite culinary hero. If you’re a fan of simplified cooking, you’ll also adore our Taco Skillet or this comforting Ham and Cheese Pasta with Ranch, both designed to make your life easier and your meals more flavorful.
For my family, food isn’t just sustenance; it’s a celebration, a focal point for togetherness, and a shared passion. Every gathering revolves around delicious meals, and I absolutely cherish it. Not only do I believe everyone in my family is an incredible cook, making our shared meals truly unforgettable, but most of them also share my enthusiasm for discovering and experimenting with new recipes. There’s a wonderful synergy in our kitchen, a constant exploration of flavors and techniques that keeps our culinary adventures exciting.
While we love to sprinkle a few innovative dishes onto our holiday tables each year, some traditions are simply non-negotiable. Thanksgiving, for instance, is synonymous with a perfectly roasted turkey. But come Christmas, my anticipation truly builds for that glorious ham. I find myself counting down the days, eagerly awaiting the moment that succulent, festive ham graces our holiday spread. It’s a cherished ritual, a taste of comfort and joy that signals the height of the festive season.
This year, however, my ham adventures began a little earlier than usual. I embarked on a delightful mission: testing various ham glazes. While the process was incredibly enjoyable and resulted in some truly delicious outcomes, it also meant one thing – a significant amount of leftover ham. A delightful problem to have, wouldn’t you agree? It presented a fantastic opportunity to get creative in the kitchen, turning an abundance of one ingredient into a diverse array of new and exciting meals.
Developing those new ham glaze recipes was a culinary treat, but I must admit, it left my little family of five with quite a mountain of ham! Luckily, we’re all ardent fans of ham in every form. This abundance, however, became the catalyst for some truly inspired cooking. I found myself pushing the boundaries of creativity, transforming what could have been a repetitive leftover into a series of fresh, exciting dishes. In fact, this endeavor has armed me with an entire collection of fantastic recipes specifically designed to make the most of leftover ham.
Today, I’m thrilled to share one of my absolute favorites from this collection, designed to get you excited about those inevitable Christmas ham leftovers long before the holidays even arrive: this incredibly flavorful and unbelievably simple Hawaiian One Pan Pasta. It’s a testament to how transforming familiar ingredients can create something entirely new and utterly delicious, proving that leftovers can be the start of an extraordinary meal rather than an afterthought.
When I sit down to plan my family’s weekly dinner menu, I operate with a few core principles in mind. I gravitate towards recipes that are straightforward, featuring a minimal list of ingredients and a clear, easy-to-follow set of steps. Most importantly, the meal needs to be quick to prepare – efficiency is key on busy weeknights. This Hawaiian One Pan Pasta ticks every single one of those boxes, making it an ideal choice for both novice cooks and seasoned home chefs looking for a stress-free yet delicious dining experience. It’s the kind of recipe that allows you to enjoy more time with your family and less time fussing over a complicated meal.
The single most compelling feature of this dish, and perhaps the reason for my current culinary obsession, is right in the name: it’s a one-pan wonder! Ever since I shared my popular Skillet Pasta with Sausage, the concept of cooking pasta directly in its sauce has captivated me. Why bother with the extra step of boiling pasta separately and dirtying another pot when you don’t have to? The real genius of one-pan pasta lies beyond mere convenience. When the pasta cooks directly in a flavorful liquid – in this case, a rich combination of tomato sauce and savory chicken broth – it absorbs all those wonderful flavors. This results in pasta that’s infused with taste from the inside out, offering a depth of flavor that simply isn’t achievable with traditional boiling methods. And the best part? From start to finish, this entire delightful meal is ready in just 30 minutes! It’s a simple equation for success: one pan plus 30 minutes equals a guaranteed win in the kitchen, delivering maximum flavor with minimum effort.
Hawaiian pizza holds a special place in our hearts as one of our go-to pizza night choices, so it was only natural to infuse those iconic flavors into this pasta dish. The result is a vibrant, sweet, and savory symphony that truly captures the essence of its pizza inspiration. We start with that delicious leftover ham, cutting down on food waste and adding a tender, savory base to the dish. Then, we introduce crispy bacon – because let’s be honest, everything is undeniably better with bacon! Its smoky, salty crunch provides a perfect counterpoint to the other ingredients. The sweetness comes from juicy pineapple tidbits, which burst with tropical flavor and balance the richness of the meats. Finally, a generous blanket of melty mozzarella cheese on top brings it all together, creating a creamy, gooey texture that makes every forkful utterly irresistible. This Hawaiian One Pan Pasta quickly ascended to the top of my family’s favorites list; in fact, we loved it so much that I prepared it twice in a single week!
Explore More Delicious Leftover Ham Recipes
Don’t let any precious holiday ham go to waste! Transform your leftovers into exciting new meals with these fantastic recipes:
- Hearty Ham and Potato Soup
- Creamy Ham Risotto with Peas
- Comforting Ham and Bean Soup
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Hawaiian One Pan Pasta
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz bacon
- 8 oz leftover ham cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 8 oz dry rigatoni pasta
- 8 oz pineapple tidbits drained
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- chopped cilantro (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Dice the bacon into small pieces. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the bacon. Cook until gloriously crisp. Remove the cooked bacon with a slotted spoon and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, reserving for later. Discard all but 1 tablespoon of the flavorful bacon grease from the skillet.
- Add the cubed ham to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Cook, stirring frequently, until the ham is beautifully browned and slightly crispy. Next, pour in the tomato sauce and chicken broth. Stir in the onion powder, dried basil, and pepper to create a fragrant base for your pasta.
- Stir all ingredients together until well combined. Add the dry rigatoni pasta to the skillet, ensuring it’s submerged in the liquid as much as possible. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer until the pasta is tender, approximately 15 minutes. For even cooking, stir the pasta once or twice during this time.
- Once the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stir in the drained pineapple tidbits and the reserved crispy bacon. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Generously sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top of the pasta. Cover the skillet once more and let it rest for a few minutes, allowing the residual heat to perfectly melt the cheese into a luscious, gooey layer. Before serving, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, if desired, for a touch of bright, herbaceous flavor.