Low Fat Refreshing Cold Pasta Salad
Brighten up your meal times with this Low Fat Refreshing Cold Pasta Salad, a vibrant and healthy dish perfect for summer gatherings or easy weeknight dinners. Made with whole wheat pasta, crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and sweet red bell pepper, this colorful salad is packed with fresh vegetables and Mediterranean flair. Black olives and aromatic basil leaves add depth, while a zesty low-fat Italian dressing combined with a splash of lemon juice ties it all together beautifully. Quick to prepare in under 30 minutes and served chilled, this guilt-free pasta salad is an ideal choice for anyone looking for nutritious and satisfying flavors in a light, low-fat recipe. Perfect as a standalone meal or a flavorful side, this dish will become a go-to favorite for healthy eating enthusiasts everywhere!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole wheat pasta
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 large cucumber
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 0.5 small red onion
- 0.25 cup black olives
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cup low-fat Italian dressing
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the whole wheat pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
2. While the pasta is cooking, halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the cucumber into thin half-moons.
3. Dice the red bell pepper and finely chop the red onion.
4. Slice the black olives and tear the basil leaves into small pieces.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and basil leaves.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together the low-fat Italian dressing, lemon juice, ground black pepper, and salt.
7. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss everything together gently to coat the ingredients evenly.
8. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
9. Before serving, toss the salad again to redistribute the dressing, then taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
10. Serve chilled as a refreshing meal or side dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
549 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 8.4 g | 11% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.4 g | 7% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1898 mg | 83% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 112.1 g | 41% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.3 g | 69% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.8 g | ||
| Protein | 19.1 g | 38% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 185 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 7.9 mg | 44% | |
| Potassium | 1867 mg | 40% | |
*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.
