The Ultimate High Protein Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
High protein italian pasta salad that's healthy, easy, and perfect for meal prep. A fresh, flavorful dish packed with protein and Mediterranean taste.
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad:
- 2 cups rotini or penne pasta use chickpea or lentil pasta for extra protein
- 1 cup cooked grilled chicken breast diced (sub with canned tuna or shrimp)
- ½ cup salami or turkey pepperoni sliced (use turkey salami for a leaner option)
- ½ cup canned chickpeas rinsed and drained
- ½ cup fresh mozzarella pearls or cubed part-skim mozzarella
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup cucumber diced
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives sliced
- ¼ cup roasted red peppers chopped
- ¼ cup red onion finely diced
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil torn
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
For the Italian Vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes optional, for heat