High-Protein Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Mediterranean Pasta Salad is a healthy, high-protein pasta salad option for the summer! It's an easy way to eat your colors and get all of your nutrients in.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 379kcal
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large Mixing Bowl for ice bath
- Strainer
- Chef's Knife
- Whisk or immersion blender - for vinaigrette
- Large Bowl for serving
Ingredients
- 12 ounces chickpea rotini pasta
- 1 cup Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette (or your favorite vinaigrette dressing)
- ½ count English cucumber
- 6 ounces grape tomatoes
- 3 ounces black olives (drained)
- ½ cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- 2 tablespoon fresh chopped basil
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 ½ teaspoons salad supreme seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt (plus more for boiling)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add salted water to a large pot. Bring to a rolling boil, then boil your pasta for about 8 minutes, until just after al dente.
- To stop the cooking process, drain the pasta and immediately add it to an ice bath (cold water and ice). This helps the pasta maintain its firmness for the salad.
- Once the pasta is cool to the touch, drain the water and set it aside in a serving bowl.
- Prepare your lemon-herb vinaigrette (if not already prepped - it's ready in less than 5 minutes!)
- Slice the cucumber in half, and scoop out the seeds to remove excess liquid. Chop your vegetables and fruit into bite-sized pieces.
- Add the chopped veggies, vinaigrette dressing, feta cheese, fresh herbs, mayo, and seasonings to the pasta bowl. Stir well, and taste to adjust any additional seasonings.
- Cover the bowl, and refrigerate for an hour to let the flavors marinate. Enjoy!
Notes
Storage Instructions:
Store for about a week in the refrigerator, in a covered dish. Be sure to stir the bowl before serving - the dressing tends to settle at the bottom.
Nutrition
Calories: 379kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 737mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 414IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 6mg