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High Protein Italian Pasta Salad

A tasty and healthy salad packed with protein from beans and cheese, perfect for lunch or dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Protein
  • 8 oz Pasta (e.g., penne or rotini) Use whole grain for extra fiber.
  • 1 can Canned chickpeas or kidney beans Rinsed and drained.
Vegetables
  • 1 cup Cherry tomatoes Halved.
  • 1 cup Cucumber Diced.
  • 1 cup Bell peppers Diced; can use mixed colors.
  • 1/2 cup Red onion Diced.
  • 1/2 cup Olives Sliced; can use green or black.
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese Diced or ball-shaped.
Seasoning and Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
  • 1/4 cup Fresh basil or parsley Chopped for garnish.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and set aside to cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, red onion, olives, mozzarella, and beans.
  3. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl.
  4. Drizzle with Italian dressing and season with salt and pepper.
  5. Toss everything together until well mixed.
  6. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Notes

This salad can be served cold and is perfect for meal prep, family gatherings, or picnics. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days, keeping the dressing separate until ready to eat.