High-Protein Italian Pasta Salad
By Isabella Quinn
Prep
15 min
Cook
10 min
Total
25 min
Servings
6
This High-Protein Italian Pasta Salad is a healthy, satisfying dish with lots of flavor. Chopped grilled chicken and Genoa salami, mozzarella pearls, and other vegetables are tossed with an Italian vinaigrette dressing. This pasta salad is versatile and a good choice for meal prep and recipe uses, including weeknight dinners and summer barbecues, when you need a hearty salad.
Ingredients
- •12 oz Rotini Pasta (or another short pasta like fusilli or penne)
- •1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
- •1 cup Cucumber (diced)
- •½ cup Red Onion (thinly sliced)
- •½ cup Black Olives (sliced)
- •1 ½ cups Grilled Chicken Breast (cooked and diced)
- •4 oz Genoa Salami (sliced or cubed)
- •8 oz Mozzarella Pearls
- •½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- •¼ cup Red Wine Vinegar
- •1 tsp Dried Oregano
- •½ tsp Garlic Powder
- •½ tsp Salt (to taste)
- •¼ tsp Black Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- 1
Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions for al dente.
- 2
Drain and rinse with cold water to cool completely.
- 3
While the pasta cooks, prepare the vinaigrette.
- 4
In a small bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- 5
Whisk or shake until well emulsified.
- 6
In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced grilled chicken, salami, mozzarella pearls, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced red onion, and sliced black olives.
- 7
Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the salad.
- 8
Toss gently to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
- 9
For best results, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
- 10
Serve chilled.
Nutrition (per serving)
580
Calories
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