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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Waldorf Pasta Salad with Pineapples

    Modified: Oct 14, 2024 · Published: Apr 24, 2016 by Mindy Boyd · Leave a Comment
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    ⏲ 20 minutes minutes
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    This Waldorf Pasta Salad with Pineapples is light and flavorful. This dish offers many different textures! We’ve got crunchy celery, crisp apples, and walnuts, juicy pineapple, and tender pasta all tossed in a creamy dressing. The sour cream gives it a tangy flavor that is a nice, unexpected surprise. 

    Our version is different from the classic Waldorf salad recipe because we’ve swapped out the grapes for pineapples and added in some pasta. Everything is better with pasta, am I right?! 

    The finished Waldorf Pasta Salad with Pineapple in a large glass bowl.
    Jump to:
    • What does a Waldorf salad contain?
    • What country is Waldorf salad from?
    • Ingredients
    • Ingredients Notes
    • Tips
    • Storage
    • Waldorf Pasta Salad with Pineapples
    • More salad recipes

    What does a Waldorf salad contain?

    A Waldorf salad consists of celery, fresh apples, grapes and walnuts tossed in a mayonnaise dressing. It is traditionally served on a bed of lettuce as a light meal or appetizer. It can be made with green apples and green grapes for a harmonious color palette. 

    This dish has been modernized with the addition of chicken or turkey, raisins or other dried fruit, and/or yogurt dressing.

    Side view of one serving of Waldorf Pasta Salad with Pineapple on a white plate.

    What country is Waldorf salad from?

    The Waldorf salad was conceived right here in the US! According to Wikipedia, “Waldorf salad is named for the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City, where it was first created for a charity ball given in honor of the St. Mary’s Hospital for Children on March 13, 1896. The Waldorf-Astoria’s maître d’hôtel, Oscar Tschirky, developed or inspired many of the hotel’s signature dishes and is widely credited with creating the salad recipe. In 1896, the salad appeared in The Cook Book by “Oscar of the Waldorf”.

    One serving of Waldorf Pasta Salad with Pineapple on a white plate.

    Ingredients

    See recipe card for exact amounts. 

    The apple, uncooked pasta, chopped celery, walnuts, sour cream, mayo, and salt measured out

    Ingredients Notes

    pasta – we like shells but any short pasta will work. 

    pineapple – you need to use canned pineapple because you will use the juice to make the dressing. 

    apple – we like red apple but green apple is good too. For this version you see in the photos we used a red delicious apple, we use many different types such as honey crisp apples, Fuji apples, and gala apples.

    celery – has a great crunch and a slightly bitter taste that goes perfectly with the fruit. 

    nuts – I use walnuts, a nut similar to walnuts are pecans. 

    mayonnaise – we use reduced fat mayo with olive oil because that is what we keep on-hand, any kind can be used. 

    sour cream – again we use reduced fat or “light” but the full fat works great too. 

    salt – for a bit of added flavor. 

    A white bowl with the entire batch of Waldorf Pasta Salad with Pineapple.

    How to make Waldorf Pasta Salad with Pineapples:

    1. Cook pasta according to package directions, rinse in cold water taking care to shake of the excess water. 
    2. Meanwhile the drain pineapple, reserving ¼ cup of the juice.
    3. Combine pasta, drained pineapple, apple, chopped celery, and walnuts in a large bowl.
    4. In a small bowl combine the reserved pineapple juice, mayonnaise, sour cream, and salt . Add to pasta mixture and toss until combined.
    A collage of images showing the pineapple being drained, the apple being chopped and the dressing ingredients before and after being mixed.

    Tips

    • To clean the celery ribs wipe them with a damp paper towel.  
    • Chop the apple last and then mix everything together so the apple doesn’t turn brown. 
    The pasta, celery, apples and walnuts in a glass bowl before being mixed.

    Storage

    Store in an airtight container for a couple of days. It will turn an unappetizing color the longer it is kept. 

    A spoonful of Waldorf Pasta Salad with Pineapple.

    Other fruity salads you might like:

    • Asparagus Strawberry Mixed Green Salad
    • Refreshing Winter Fruit Salad
    • Arby’s Grilled Chicken & Pecan salad (Copycat)
    • Fruit Salad
    • Triple Berry Cheesecake Salad
    • Peach Blueberry Fluff Salad
    A large glass bowl of Waldorf Pasta Salad with Pineapple with the recipe title in text at the top.
    Overhead view of one serving of Waldorf Pasta Salad with Pineapple.

    Waldorf Pasta Salad with Pineapples

    Mindy Boyd
    Learn how to make a flavorful Waldorf pasta salad with pineapples. This modern twist on the classic salad is perfect for a light meal or appetizer.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print – Email Required Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups uncooked shell pasta about 2 cups cooked
    • 1 can pineapple chunks with juice (8 ounces)
    • 1 medium red apple cored and cubed
    • 1 cup celery
    • 3 tablespoons walnuts chopped
    • 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise I use the kind with olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons light sour cream
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
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    Instructions
     

    • Cook pasta according to package directions and let cool.
      1 ½ cups uncooked shell pasta
    • Meanwhile, drain the pineapple, reserving ¼ cup of the juice; set aside.
      1 can pineapple chunks
    • Combine pasta, drained pineapple, apple, celery, and walnuts in a large bowl.
      1 medium red apple, 1 cup celery, 3 tablespoons walnuts
    • In a small bowl combine the pineapple juice, mayonnaise, sour cream, and salt . Add to pasta mixture and toss until combined.
      2 tablespoons light mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons light sour cream, ¼ teaspoon salt

    Notes

    Nutritional information is approximate. 
    See tips, notes, and other valuable information in the post above. 

    Bookmark this page to find it quickly when you are ready to make this recipe!

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 154mg | Potassium: 164mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 109IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was with a comment below.

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    A plate with one serving of Waldorf Pasta Salad with Pineapple on the top and a large serving bowl full on the bottom with the recipe title in text in the middle.
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    About Mindy

    Mindy has been cooking for over 30 years, starting as a young mother who learned how to create delicious meals on a budget. Today, she shares approachable recipes made with everyday ingredients that are easy, affordable, and family-friendly. Her goal is to show that great food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.

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