High Protein Italian Pasta Salad
This High-protein Italian Pasta Salad mixes protein rotini with savory deli meats, crisp vegetables, feta, and light Italian dressing. It is a chilled meal prep salad for work lunches, cold dinners, and make-ahead containers.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Colander
- Large mixing bowl
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
- Measuring cup
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz box protein or chickpea rotini pasta or any short pasta shape
- 3/4 cup Olive Garden light Italian dressing
- 1/2 red onion chopped into small pieces
- 1 large red, yellow, or orange bell pepper chopped
- 1 medium cucumber peeled and diced
- 1 8 oz package smoked deli ham chopped
- 1 5 oz package turkey pepperoni chopped
- 5 oz light Italian dry salami chopped
- 4 slices ultra-thin provolone cheese chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
- fresh basil optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini until just tender according to the package directions.
- Drain the pasta well, rinse with cool water if desired, and shake off excess moisture.
- Chop the red onion, bell pepper, cucumber, smoked ham, turkey pepperoni, salami, and provolone into small bite-size pieces.
- Add the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl and toss with most of the light Italian dressing.
- Fold in the chopped vegetables, meats, provolone, and feta until the salad is evenly mixed.
- Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can settle.
- Stir again before serving, add the remaining dressing as needed, and finish with fresh basil if using.
Notes
Storage: Store the pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days and stir before serving.
Freezing: Freezing is not recommended because the pasta, cucumber, and cheeses can become watery or grainy after thawing.
Reheating: Serve this salad cold. Do not reheat it, but let it sit for 5 minutes if it is very chilled.
Expert Tips: Hold back a little dressing and add it after chilling because pasta absorbs moisture as it rests.
Meal Prep: Portion into airtight containers and keep chilled with an ice pack when taking it to work or school.
Variations: Swap in cooked chicken, deli turkey, mozzarella pearls, olives, cherry tomatoes, or extra cucumber based on what you have.