Meatless Italian Pasta Salad
Say hello to my Meatless Italian Pasta Salad! I originally created this recipe for a tailgate party we were attending for my son’s football game. It is delicious, easy, and packed with vitamins! Now just think, what if you replaced the traditional pasta with protein pasta?!? This would make an EXCELLENT addition to your daily meal prep. You would be adding an additional source of protein, vitamins, and what an amazing snack!
This Pasta Salald is also super simple and fast to make. In the time it takes to boil the pasta you can prep your vegetables.
I also like to mix my own dressing for my Pasta Salad. It comes together really fast. I just simply measure my ingredients into a mason jar and shake. And eating a great quality olive oil is so heart healthy! One of my favorites is the Carapelli Unfiltered Organic Olive Oil. (you can see it in the photo above)
Once your dressing for your Meatless Italian Pasta Salad is mixed and your pasta is drained you are ready to assemble. This recipe can be assembled a few hours before your event and chilled. If you are hosting a party at home another recipe to consider for a party is my Easy Havarti Slider Recipe! This recipe appeals to all ages and is super simple to assemble.
Meatless Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 oz pasta any small pasta will work here I used bowtie
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 medium red onion diced
- 1 small can sliced black olives
- 3-4 springs fresh basil chopped
- fresh mozzarella pearls you can substitute part skim mozzarella and cut into bite size cubes if you like
- Dressing
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 TBSP Dijon mustard
- 1-1 1/2 TSP fresh thyme chopped
- 2 generous pinches of salt
- fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta to Al Dente. (I usually cook 30 seconds-1 minute less than package directions depending on size of pasta.) Drain and rinse your pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Cut tomatoes in half, dice onion, and chop basil.
- Make dressing. In a mason jar (or other sealable container) mix vinegar, oil, mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper. Secure lid and shake well.
- Combine all ingredients in large bowl with lid. Add 2/3 of dressing and mix well. Chill at least 4 hours. Chill remaining dressing. You may add additional dressing before serving if needed.
