Pasta salad is a beautifully aromatic tapestry that fits every occasion, from the weekday hurries to spring gatherings. Looking for something a little healthier but absolutely satisfying, this Easy Pasta Salad is what you really need. This pasta salad is super versatile and can be a vegan bowl, vegetarian bowl, or a protein-packed veggie burger (all Pampered Paeans approved). Here, we delve into how to whip up a tasty pasta salad that will soon become your staple — packed with vegetables bursting at the seams of each scoop and whole grains keeping things good for you along with light dressings.
Get to know more about the positives of pasta salads, and how they can change your weight loss approach for good sake with ease. In addition, we will also give you a step-by-step recipe that suits perfectly for some fast and quick meal prep.
So Is Pasta Salad Eating Well?
Pasta salad is the first answer that comes to mind: a nice comfort food but also a mouthful of happiness Nothing wrong with it, on one condition— if served as part of great amounts and mixed with balanced ingredients made for summer. Whole grain or gluten-free pasta benefits from the added fiber included, assisting in your digestion and helping you feel satiated longer. Well, including loads of colorful vegetables (it’s the more variety and colors you include in your salad bowl only makes it better- bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, etc) can make every meal so much more enjoyable Besides being part of a diet well-balanced these crystals theatres eye appealing for bandwagoning on necessary vitamins & minerals too.
Dressings – Homemade vinaigrettes are heart-healthy in comparison to traditional mayonnaise-based dressings. Include lean proteins like grilled chicken, tofu, or chickpeas in your pasta salad to give it an even greater nutritional punch. The best part? Pasta salads are a great go-to meal prep, quick dinner,, or picnic side dish.
Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
Can of whole grain or gluten-free pasta (penne, rotini, bow-tie) 2 cups
1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1/2 cup of diced cucumber
1/2 cup of diced bell peppers (red, yellow, green)
1/4 red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup canned black olives, sliced
Crumbled feta (or shredded mozzarella) 1/2 cup
1 cup of spinach or arugula
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil or fresh parsley for garnish
Cook the Pasta: Start by cooking the pasta according to package directions. Choose whole grain or gluten-free pasta for a healthier version of the thing. Then take out the macaroni, and fresh it with cold water to cool down.
To make the pasta salad, start by boiling a pot of water and then cook your favorite pasta (or whatever you have on hand) until al dente. While the noodles are cooling down, chop up any veggies in your fridge — tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers,, or red onion all work great so long as they fit into bite-size pieces! Set them aside.
Pin me for later! Greek Chicken Salad — This Greek chicken salad is a delicious, healthy meal that can be made in less than 30 minutes! (ingredients on phone)Directions the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Season with salt to taste. Add a little honey or balsamic vinegar for more taste.
In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta + diced vegetables & spinach. Strain this over the salad and shake to combine it.
Toppings: Crumbled feta or shredded mozzarella, fresh basil, or parsley.
Hint: Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator up to for 3 days. After letting the pasta salad sit for a few hours, it will soak up some of that dressing and taste even better!
Pasta Salad Nutrition Health Benefits of Pasta Salad
When made with healthy ingredients, a pasta salad provides many health benefits. Complex carbohydrates as well, which are lower in calories and provide longer lasting energy if you find the right source of those -Whole grains pasta. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers are high in antioxidants (which help support your immune system) and vitamins/minerals that can aid skin health. Rich in antioxidants, olive oil is a heart-healthy fat; while spinach and arugula both are packed with iron & folic acid for desired blood flow.
Plus, adding some protein to the meal such as grilled chicken or chickpeas can also aid in satiety. That being said, this particular combination of ingredients is so good that it makes you not care how healthy the Easy Pasta Salad recipe happens to be.
Variations & Tips
Pasta salad is one of those dishes that you can make a million different ways. The recipe can be easily modified to suit your preferences and dietary requirements. Try it with some sun-dried tomatoes, Artichoke hearts, and grilled chicken for a more Mediterranean feel. Just skip the cheese for vegetarians and add more protein, such as chickpeas or edamame.
If you would like the salad to be even healthier, replace the white pasta with quinoa or one of our other ancient grains such as faro and barley. Experiment with other dressings, such as balsamic vinaigrette or even my creamy avocado-lime dressing for extra pop! Pasta salad is always about the perfect juxtaposition of ingredients that are still delicious on their own, but together balance each other out to create a well-rounded bite.
Conclusion
This Easy Pasta Salad is simply delicious, healthy, and a to-your-tasting dish — or goodbye fancy summertime side. A Fast, fresh, and flavor-packed healthy bowl full of texture from the pasta veg, fiber + a zingy citrus dressing for your door dashers out there! Whether for lunch, as a side dish or alongside some more-ish light dinner,… pasta salad is just the thing. For delicious whole-food recipes and meal plans, visit other yumy24 healthy bowl recipes
