High Protein Vibrant Vegetable Pasta Salad
Elevate your salad game with this High Protein Vibrant Vegetable Pasta Salad, a colorful and nutritious blend perfect for any occasion. Featuring protein-packed lentil or chickpea pasta, crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet red bell peppers, and nutrient-rich spinach—all tossed in a zesty homemade dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a touch of maple syrup for balance—this dish is as vibrant in flavor as it is in appearance. Bursting with fresh basil and shelled edamame, this easy-to-make pasta salad is ideal for meal prep or a quick, wholesome lunch, offering both vegetarian-friendly sustenance and refreshing taste in every bite. Ready in under 30 minutes, serve it chilled for the perfect light meal or side dish to complement any gathering.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Lentil or Chickpea Pasta
- 1.5 cups Cherry Tomatoes
- 1 medium Cucumber
- 1 large Red Bell Pepper
- 0.5 small Red Onion
- 1 cup Edamame (shelled, cooked)
- 2 cups Spinach
- 0.5 cup Fresh Basil
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 3 tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard
- 1 teaspoon Maple Syrup
- 1 clove Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lentil or chickpea pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, chop the red bell pepper, finely slice the red onion, and roughly chop the spinach and fresh basil.
In a small bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, edamame, spinach, and basil.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1632 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 61.8 g | 79% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.2 g | 46% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2696 mg | 117% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 196.6 g | 71% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 37.7 g | 135% | |
| Total Sugars | 31.6 g | ||
| Protein | 87.9 g | 176% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 371 mg | 29% | |
| Iron | 21.6 mg | 120% | |
| Potassium | 4052 mg | 86% | |
*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.
