Heart-Healthy Vibrant Vegetable Pasta Salad
Brighten up your plate with this Heart-Healthy Vibrant Vegetable Pasta Salad, a colorful medley of wholesome ingredients that's as nutritious as it is delicious. Featuring tender whole-grain pasta paired with crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, and a touch of briny Kalamata olives, this dish is loaded with vitamins and flavor. Fresh baby spinach adds a nutrient-packed green boost, while a tangy homemade dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and red wine vinegar ties it all together beautifully. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy pasta salad is perfect for meal prep, picnics, or a refreshing lunch. Serve it chilled to allow the flavors to meld or enjoy it immediately. Packed with heart-healthy ingredients, this recipe proves that eating well can still be vibrant and satisfying!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Whole-grain pasta
- 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium Cucumber
- 1 medium Bell pepper (any color)
- 0.25 medium Red onion
- 2 cups Baby spinach
- 0.25 cup Kalamata olives (pitted and sliced)
- 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon Red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper (freshly ground)
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt (optional)
Instructions
Cook the whole-grain pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water to cool, and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, thinly slice the red onion, and roughly chop the baby spinach.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, baby spinach, and Kalamata olives.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt (if using) to make the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Gently toss until everything is well combined and coated with the dressing.
Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes for better flavor melding.
Garnish with additional fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil, if desired, and enjoy your heart-healthy vibrant vegetable pasta salad!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
926 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 56.6 g | 73% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.8 g | 39% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1195 mg | 52% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 98.2 g | 36% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.0 g | 68% | |
| Total Sugars | 18.5 g | ||
| Protein | 20.1 g | 40% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 238 mg | 18% | |
| Iron | 8.4 mg | 47% | |
| Potassium | 1410 mg | 30% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
