Y'all this recipe is such a hit at all of my summer BBQs. This pasta salad is also a great meal prep option for a busy week (makes 6 servings)! We love a recipe that can👏🏻 do 👏🏻both 👏🏻.
Hi! If we've never met before, I'm Caitlin, I'm an intuitive eating-based registered dietitian. I believe in an all-foods-fit approach to nutrition so you better believe pasta is on the menu. What's great about my pasta salad recipe is that it is balanced with protein, fat, carbohydrates, and fiber to keep you feeling full for hours until your next meal! Plus, pasta always hits the spot and it's so easy to make.
The rainbow of colors in this pasta salad also means you are getting even more gentle nutrition with the vitamins and minerals provided. The purple red onion, the green broccoli, the red tomato, the white cheese, and the pink and orange meats mean our eyes will be feasting along with our taste buds! The star of this recipe, I must say, is the dressing packet, Good Season's Italian, which is mixed using apple cider vinegar.
Gather Your Ingredients:
1 (14.5 oz) box of rotini pasta
*If making as an entree, consider boosting the protein and fiber with the Barilla Protein+ Rotini pasta
1 packet of Good Season's Italian dressing mixed with:
1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
3 Tbsp water
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 head of broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1/4 red onion, finely chopped
8 oz mozzarella pearls
1 cup genoa salami (~12 slices or a 7 oz pack)
1 cup mini pepperoni (If you can't find the mini, then quarter-cut regular pepperoni)
Optional: To boost more protein and fiber, consider adding canned chickpeas
Step 1: Prep the Dressing
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil for the pasta while you make the dressing.
Follow the package instructions to mix the seasoning packet, vinegar, water, and oil. I recommend mixing in a mason jar or similar to be able to shake the dressing and be able to pour easily. It makes 32 fl oz or 16 Tbsp total.
If making pasta salad as a batch for a party, reserve all of the dressing to toss that pasta in at the end.
If making pasta for meal prep, divide the dressing into 6 ramekin salad dressing containers ~ 2 Tbsp each (12 tablespoons total). Reserve the remaining ~4 Tbsp of dressing to toss with the pasta to marinate and prevent the pasta from sticking.
Step 2: Boil the Pasta
Once water is boiling, add in the rontini and cook per package instructions.
Step 3: Prep the Add-Ins
While the pasta cooks, cut the broccoli, half the tomatoes, finely chop the red onion, chop the salami, and measure out and/or chop the pepperoni.
Step 4: Toss the Italian Pasta Salad
Add the cooked pasta into a large bowl and toss in all of the add-ins. Pour the Italian dressing and toss again.
Serve as a side dish for a party or separate into 6 containers for meal prep with the side of the dressing until ready to eat. Note: For parties, this feeds more than 6 as this is a side to eat with additional food and not the main entree.
Summary
Pasta is not "bad." Whether you made this Quick and Easy Italian Pasta Salad as a dish for BBQ or as your meal prep, know that you're providing your body with an array of nutrients to fuel your day, satisfy your taste buds, and/or facilitate social connectedness. All foods can fit. Enjoy!
Did you like this recipe? Save it to your pasta Pinterest board and don't forget to follow me on Instagram @tasty.cait.rd
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