Healthy Pasta Salad

4.32 from 22 votes

Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure with this sensational healthy Pasta Salad recipe hosting an array of fresh and nourishing ingredients to create a super delicious medley of flavors and textures! This delightfully healthy recipe promises to satisfy and energize you all day. It allows you to discover a world of deliciousness that nourishes the body and soul!

Prep: 20

Cook: 1

Total: 21

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Egg-free, Vegetarian

Servings:

Calories: 269kcal

Author: Ruchi

Ingredients

FOR PASTA

1 packet of Rotini or penne pasta, dried
¼ cup Cucumber diced
¼ cup Yellow bell pepper diced
¼ cup Cherry Tomatoes cut into half
¼ cup Sliced Black Olives
¼ cup Red onions thinly sliced
¼ cup Feta cheese
- - Salt to taste
¼ teaspoon Coarsely crushed black peppercorns
1 tablespoon Olive oil

CHIPOTLE RANCH DRESSING - MAKES 1.5 CUP - USE 1/4-1/2 CUP

1 cup Fat free yogurt
½ cup Sour Cream
¼ cup Mayonnaise
1 slice of Chipotle chile pepper in adobo sauce
¼ cup Chopped cilantro leaves
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
1 clove Garlic
1½ teaspoon Dried Parsley
½ teaspoon Onion powder
¼ teaspoon Coarsely crushed black peppercorns
½ teaspoon Dried Dill
½ teaspoon Dried Chives
- - Salt to taste

Instructions

FOR PASTA

Boil the pasta as per package instructions.
Once cooked and al dente, drain the pasta. This rinsing with cold water shocks the pasta after it comes out of the boiling water and will stop the pasta from cooking more.
Since we are using pasta in a salad, rinse it well to eliminate the starch.
Transfer the completely drained and cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl.
Add chopped veggies and pasta to the bowl.
Gently toss all the ingredients until they have been well distributed among the curly pasta.
Finish with a drizzle of my go-to Chipotle Ranch Dressing.
Mix, mix and mix.
Coarsely crush black pepper on top and mix again.
Taste and adjust seasonings.
Top with Feta cheese and serve. Enjoy it, hot or cold!

CHIPOTLE RANCH DRESSING

Add all the ingredients to a blender/food processor.
Pulse until well blended.
Adjust seasoning and glaze your salad with this amazing dressing.

Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

What other vegetables can I add to this salad?

As this is an extremely versatile recipe, you can add any veggies that go well with each other. The assorted veggies that are usually added are —

Artichokes — These are packed with fiber and rich in antioxidants and vitamins! Use canned quartered artichokes for this recipe.
Red peppers — A great source of Vitamin C, carotenoids, and phytochemicals, red bell peppers also add crunchy deliciousness to the recipe. Use jarred, roasted red bell peppers for optimum flavor.
Scallions — Use thinly sliced Scallions instead of red onions for a mild flavor that perfectly works with this salad recipe.
Edamame — Rich in vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, edamame is also an excellent choice for this salad.
Chickpeas — Give an additional dose of protein to this healthy and delicious salad with chickpeas.
Kale, Arugula, Baby Spinach — For more color and nutrition, try some leafy greens like Kale, arugula, and baby spinach for this recipe.
Pinenuts — Add some roasted Pinenuts as they provide an extra crunch besides the magical health benefits.

Can I make this salad in advance?

This healthy and awesomely delicious Pasta Salad is a breeze and super easy. You can prepare it in parts and store it in advance for a convenient serving later. Chop the veggies and store them separately in the fridge in air-tight containers a day in advance.

Dressing can be prepared 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. To serve this salad cold, you can boil and drain and cool the pasta. Toss in some olive oil so that it does not stick together.

Transfer to an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator.

Can I store the leftovers of this Pasta salad?

Freshly prepared pasta salad is incomparably delicious and super fun to indulge in as it is the most flavorful and crunchy.

But if you have any leftovers, you can transfer them to an air-tight container and store them in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. However, a dash of extra dressing before serving will add flavor.

Can I freeze this pasta salad for later use?

That will be a no. This pasta salad is not a freezer-friendly recipe, as the veggies and pasta will turn distasteful upon thawing.

Nutrition