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High Protein Italian Pasta Salad

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A delightful and protein-packed pasta salad bursting with vibrant flavors, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (8 oz) box of protein or chickpea rotini pasta
  • 3/4 cup of Olive Garden light Italian dressing (192 g)
  • 1/2 red onion (120 g), chopped
  • 1 large bell pepper (170 g), chopped
  • 1 medium cucumber (250 g), peeled and diced
  • 1 (8 oz) package of smoked deli ham (224 g), chopped
  • 1 (5 oz) package of turkey pepperoni (140 g), chopped
  • 5 oz of light Italian dry salami (140 g), chopped
  • 4 slices of ultra-thin provolone cheese, chopped
  • 1/2 cup of feta cheese (56 g)
  • Fresh basil, optional

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. Drain and cool: Once cooked, drain the pasta and run it under cold water to halt cooking. Let it sit in the strainer.
  3. Prep the veggies: Chop the red onion, bell pepper, cucumber, and deli meats into bite-sized pieces.
  4. Mix it all together: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta and all chopped ingredients. Gently fold everything together.
  5. Dress the salad: Pour in the remaining Italian dressing and toss to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container, and let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  7. Finishing touches: Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir, and sprinkle feta cheese, provolone, and basil on top.

Notes

This salad holds up well in the fridge for 3-4 days, making it perfect for meal prep.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, Italian, high protein, meal prep, healthy

Find it online: https://thecomfortspoon.com/high-protein-italian-pasta-salad/