Low-Calorie Pasta Salads
These 8 pasta salad combos make great lunches or hearty sides. Toss 3 cups of your favorite cooked, chilled pasta with a tablespoon of olive oil, and then add one of the fresh, summery combos from the following slides. Recipes serve 4.
Or you can make any one of these salads into a meal for an easy entrée. Grill 1 pound of lean protein, like chicken breast, flank steak, tuna, or shrimp, and toss together for a simple summer supper that clocks in under 400 calories.
Perfectly Peppery
3 cups cooked, chilled pasta + 1 tablespoon of olive oil + 1 cup arugula + 2/3 cup thinly sliced radishes + 3 tablespoons chopped toasted walnuts + 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese. Serves 4.
Snow Peas and Carrots
3 cups cooked, chilled pasta + 1 tablespoon of olive oil + ½ cup grated carrot + 1 tablespoon lower-sodium soy sauce + ½ cup thinly sliced snow peas + ½ cup shredded red cabbage + ¼ cup dry-roasted unsalted peanuts. Serves 4.
Melon, Mint, and Parm
3 cups cooked, chilled pasta + 1 tablespoon of olive oil + ½ cup cubed fresh cantaloupe + 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves + 2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto + 1.5 ounces shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese + freshly ground black pepper. Serves 4.
Cheesy Chickpea and Pesto
3 cups cooked, chilled pasta + 1 tablespoon of olive oil + ½ cup organic chickpeas + 1.5 ounces crumbled feta cheese + 1 cup halved grape tomatoes + 1 tablespoon prepared pesto. Serves 4.
Mediterranean Medley
3 cups cooked, chilled pasta + 1 tablespoon of olive oil + 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil + ½ cup thinly sliced cucumber + 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes + 1.5 ounces crumbled feta cheese + 1.5 ounces thinly sliced kalamata olives. Serves 4.
Nutty Beans and Greens
3 cups cooked, chilled pasta + 1 tablespoon of olive oil + 1 cup trimmed steamed haricots verts + 1 cup baby arugula + 3 tablespoons chopped toasted walnuts + 1 ounce shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Serves 4.
Picnic All-Star
3 cups cooked, chilled pasta + 1 tablespoon of olive oil + 1/3 cup sliced avocado + ¼ cup red bell pepper strips + ¼ cup fresh corn kernels + 2 cooked crumbled center-cut bacon slices + 2 ounces quartered fresh baby mozzarella balls. Serves 4.
