Hawaiian Pizza Pasta: Your Go-To Quick & Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipe

Your beloved Hawaiian pizza flavors are magically transformed into an incredibly quick and easy weeknight dinner with this delightful Hawaiian Pizza Pasta. This recipe features a rich homemade tomato sauce, savory chopped ham, sweet pineapple tidbits, and luscious mozzarella cheese, all prepared conveniently on your stovetop.

As someone deeply immersed in the world of cooking from scratch, constantly developing new recipes, and photographing delicious dishes, I often find myself facing a universal weeknight dilemma: what’s for dinner? While my days are filled with culinary creations, the reality is that by the time my work concludes – often late afternoon – the last thing I want to do is start another elaborate meal. My small kitchen counter, frequently overwhelmed by a mountain of mixing bowls, beaters, saucepans, and an astonishing number of spoons from a day’s worth of recipe testing, often leaves no space for dinner prep. It’s a paradox of sorts – cooking for a living, yet struggling to get a simple, wholesome dinner on the table without feeling completely drained.

Imagine baking a complex cake and then making ice cream, all in one day, only to be confronted with a sink full of dishes. That’s a typical scenario for me. Even with a dishwasher, many essential tools, like my beloved knives, require handwashing to maintain their longevity, or are simply needed again too quickly to run through a full cycle. So, when the clock ticks past 5:00 PM, and you’ve been on your feet all day, the idea of dirtying more dishes for dinner can feel daunting. This isn’t a complaint; I absolutely adore my job, but it helps explain why quick, effortless meals are not just a preference but a necessity in my household.

This constant pursuit of efficiency in the kitchen leads me to a simple truth: sometimes, even a recipe developer needs a shortcut. For many, a frozen pizza is that convenient solution after a long day at work, or during the chaotic back-to-school routine. It’s a comfort, a familiar taste, and an undeniable time-saver. I confess, I used to rely on a frozen pizza once or twice a month, particularly when the craving for my favorite Hawaiian pizza hit. However, relying too heavily on store-bought options can quickly become expensive, and let’s be honest, nothing quite beats the satisfaction of a homemade meal.

So, I began to wonder: how can I capture the irresistible flavors of Hawaiian pizza – the salty ham, the sweet pineapple, the tangy tomato, and the gooey cheese – in a homemade dish that’s just as quick and satisfying as its frozen counterpart, but more budget-friendly and perhaps even more comforting? The answer was brilliantly simple: transform those beloved elements into a stovetop pasta dish. Thus, the Hawaiian Pizza Pasta was born – a flavorful, fuss-free meal that brings all the joy of your favorite pizza without the crust, perfect for any busy weeknight.

Why You’ll Love This Hawaiian Pizza Pasta

This Hawaiian Pizza Pasta is more than just a quick meal; it’s a culinary hack that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Here’s why this recipe deserves a spot in your weekly rotation:

• All the Flavor, No Crust: You get the classic taste profile of Hawaiian pizza – the savory ham, the sweet and tangy pineapple, the rich tomato sauce, and the creamy mozzarella – all expertly blended with pasta. It’s pizza deconstructed in the most delicious way.
• Stovetop Simplicity: Forget preheating your oven! This entire dish comes together in a single skillet on your stovetop, making cleanup a breeze and keeping your kitchen cool, especially on warm evenings.
• Quick & Easy: From start to finish, this recipe takes less than an hour, including prep and cook time. It’s designed for those evenings when you need a delicious, satisfying meal on the table fast.
• Customizable: While the core ingredients are essential, you can easily adapt this dish. Want more veggies? Add some bell peppers or spinach. Prefer a different cheese? Go for provolone or a cheddar blend.
• Family-Friendly: Hawaiian pizza is a crowd-pleaser, and so is this pasta! It’s a fun, exciting way to enjoy familiar flavors that even picky eaters will appreciate.

Crafting the Perfect Pizza-Inspired Sauce

The heart of this Hawaiian Pizza Pasta lies in its homemade tomato sauce, which mirrors the robust flavor of traditional pizza sauce. It starts with sautéed onions and garlic, building a fragrant base. Tomato paste provides concentrated richness, while chicken broth thins it to the perfect consistency. A blend of dried basil, oregano, and parsley infuses that classic Italian herb aroma, making you feel like you’re biting into a freshly baked pizza. A touch of granulated sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, and a pinch of salt enhances all the flavors. For those who enjoy a little kick, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes adds a subtle warmth that complements the sweetness of the pineapple beautifully.

Once your pasta is cooked to al dente perfection, it’s tossed directly into this flavorful sauce along with the star ingredients: generous amounts of chopped ham and juicy pineapple tidbits. The final touch? A blanket of shredded mozzarella cheese, which melts into a gooey, irresistible topping as the dish is covered, creating that signature cheesy pull we all love from pizza.

Looking to skip the pasta and keep it low-carb? Check out Hawaiian Pizza Chicken from Meal Prep On Fleek for another great way to enjoy these flavors!

Tips for Success & Ingredient Spotlight

Getting this dish right is incredibly simple, but a few pointers can elevate your experience:

• Pineapple Power: When selecting your pineapple, I highly recommend opting for canned pineapple tidbits. They are already cut into perfect, bite-sized pieces, saving you valuable prep time. My first attempt taught me the lesson of having to painstakingly chop larger chunks! If you’re feeling adventurous and have extra time, fresh pineapple can also be used, but ensure you chop it into small, uniform pieces to distribute the sweetness evenly throughout the pasta. Draining the canned pineapple well is crucial to avoid making your sauce too watery.
• Ham Selection: Any good quality cooked ham will work wonders here. Leftover holiday ham is fantastic, or you can pick up pre-cooked ham from your deli or grocery store. Dicing it into small, consistent pieces ensures every bite of pasta gets that savory, smoky flavor.
• Pasta Choice: Rigatoni, with its ridged tubes, is excellent for catching and holding onto the sauce, ensuring a flavorful bite every time. However, feel free to use other sturdy pasta shapes like penne, ziti, or even rotini. Just cook it to al dente according to package directions; it will finish cooking slightly in the sauce.
• Cheese, Please: Freshly shredded mozzarella melts much better and has a superior flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents. If you have a block of mozzarella, take the extra minute to shred it yourself – it’s worth it!

What to Do with Leftover Ham

If you find yourself with extra ham after making this delicious Hawaiian Pizza Pasta, don’t let it go to waste! Ham is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of other quick and comforting recipes:

• Whip up a batch of creamy Ham and Cheese Soup for another cozy meal.
• Elevate your breakfast or brunch with elegant Baked Eggs with Ham and Cheese, served in toast cups.
• For a fun and unique twist, try making Ham and Cheese Waffles – a delightful savory option for any time of day.

These ideas ensure that no delicious bite of ham goes uneaten, making your meal planning even more efficient.

Hawaiian Pizza Pasta

Yield:
4 servings

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
25 minutes

Total Time:
40 minutes

Turn your favorite Hawaiian pizza into a fast, family-friendly weeknight dinner with this easy stovetop pasta recipe! It’s loaded with homemade tomato sauce, savory ham, sweet pineapple tidbits, and gooey mozzarella cheese for a taste sensation that’s ready in under an hour.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound (8 ounces or 1/2 box) uncooked rigatoni pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
• 1 cup chopped ham
• 1 cup canned pineapple tidbits, well-drained
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni as directed on the package until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain into a colander.
2. Meanwhile, prepare the savory sauce. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the chopped onion and cook until it begins to soften and become translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add the tomato paste, chicken broth, dried basil, dried oregano, dried parsley, granulated sugar, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Stir vigorously until the tomato paste is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer while the pasta finishes cooking.
4. Once the pasta is cooked and drained, add the rigatoni, chopped ham, and well-drained pineapple tidbits directly into the simmering sauce in the skillet. Stir gently until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and coated with the sauce.
5. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the pasta mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and continue to cook on low heat for about 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. Serve your Hawaiian Pizza Pasta immediately and enjoy!

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I hope you enjoy creating and savoring these quick and comforting pasta dishes. Happy cooking!