Description
High-Protein Italian Pasta Salad is a colorful and delicious dish that combines al dente pasta, fresh vegetables, and protein-rich chickpeas, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or quick weeknight dinners, this salad is both nutritious and satisfying. Its vibrant presentation and customizable ingredients make it a guaranteed hit at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups whole wheat pasta (uncooked)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 medium cucumber (diced)
- 1 cup bell peppers (chopped)
- ? cup black olives (sliced)
- 1 cup chickpeas (canned, rinsed)
- ? cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- ? cup Italian dressing
Instructions
- Cook whole wheat pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- While the pasta cools, chop the cucumbers, bell peppers, and olives into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, and chickpeas. Toss gently.
- Add crumbled feta cheese on top.
- Drizzle with Italian dressing and stir until everything is well coated.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 15mg