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High Protein Italian Pasta Salad


  • Author: sadka
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A delicious and nutritious pasta salad loaded with protein-rich ingredients, perfect for meal prep or as a hearty lunch.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 300 g (3 cups) whole-grain pasta
  • 250 g (1.5 cups) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 200 g (1 cup) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 100 g (1 cup) mozzarella cheese, cubed
  • 50 g (½ cup) black olives, sliced
  • 60 ml (¼ cup) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 30 ml (2 tablespoons) red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  2. Drain and Cool: Once the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander. Rinse with cold water for about 1 minute.
  3. Prepare the Dressing: In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, mozzarella, and olives.
  5. Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss gently until well coated.
  6. Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately, or chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Notes

This salad is meal-prep friendly and can be made ahead of time. It tastes better the next day as the flavors develop.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 52g
  • Fiber: 10g
  • Protein: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg