Bright, flavorful, and guilt-free, this Low Fat Italian Pasta Salad is the perfect healthy side dish or light main course for any occasion. Packed with whole-grain rotini, crunchy cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, vibrant red bell peppers, tangy Kalamata olives, and a medley of fresh parsley and spices, every bite bursts with Mediterranean-inspired goodness. Tossed in a zesty low-fat Italian dressing, this quick and easy pasta salad comes together in just 25 minutes, making it a must-try for meal prep, picnics, or weeknight dinners. For a finishing touch, sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese, or enjoy it as-is for a completely low-fat, vegetarian-friendly meal. Serve it chilled and let the refreshing flavors take center stage!
Cook the whole-grain rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to cool it quickly. Set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, and finely chop the red onion.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and Kalamata olives.
Pour the low-fat Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to ensure the dressing evenly coats the ingredients.
Add the chopped fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper. Toss again to incorporate the seasoning.
If desired, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top for an added touch of flavor.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve chilled, and enjoy your healthy Low Fat Italian Pasta Salad!
Calories |
1374 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 41.1 g | 53% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.3 g | 36% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 8 mg | 3% | |
| Sodium | 4582 mg | 199% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 225.3 g | 82% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 37.7 g | 135% | |
| Total Sugars | 32.9 g | ||
| Protein | 41.0 g | 82% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 491 mg | 38% | |
| Iron | 15.5 mg | 86% | |
| Potassium | 2427 mg | 52% | |
*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.