Description
This creamy high-protein pasta salad is packed with over 20g of protein per serving thanks to protein pasta, fresh veggies, and a Greek yogurt dressing. It’s perfect for lunch meal prep, school lunches, and potluck-style sharing—easy to customize and kid-approved!
Ingredients
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8 oz protein pasta (Barilla Protein+, chickpea, or whole grain)
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2 Persian cucumbers, halved lengthwise and sliced
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1/4 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
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1/2 yellow or orange bell pepper, diced
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2 green onions, sliced
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4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
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3 oz salami or grilled chicken (omit or swap for vegetarian)
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2/3 cup Greek yogurt Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)
Optional Add-Ins:
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Chickpeas or white beans
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Fresh parsley or basil
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Hard-boiled eggs, sliced
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Roasted corn or red onions
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Mozzarella pearls or shaved parmesan
Instructions
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Cook pasta according to package directions.
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Rinse under cold water to cool.
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Chop vegetables and protein while pasta cools.
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Add pasta, veggies, and protein to a large bowl.
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Pour in dressing and toss gently to coat.
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Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
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Let it sit: Flavors improve after a few hours in the fridge.
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Kid tip: Emma loves when I add mozzarella pearls for extra fun.
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Meal prep tip: Layer in mason jars for picnics—dressing on the bottom!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Salad
- Method: No-cook (after pasta)
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: ~360
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: ~580mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: high-protein pasta salad, healthy pasta salad, protein-packed salad, lunch meal prep, creamy Greek yogurt dressing, chickpea pasta salad