4 Easy Recipes Pasta Lovers Will Enjoy
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Serves 6
Ingredients
1 cup uncooked whole wheat or regular orzo pasta
4 ounces fresh baby spinach, chopped
⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 cup diced cucumber
10 kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
½ cup cannellini beans or other white bean
¾ teaspoon dried oregano
sea salt and black pepper to taste
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Balsamic Dressing:
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 ½ tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
½ teaspoon sea salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
1. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add orzo and cook according to the package directions until just tender, about 8-10 minutes.
2. Drain and rinse under cold water until the pasta cools to room temp. Drain well again and transfer to a large bowl.
3. While orzo cooks, make the dressing by using a blender or whisk to combine all ingredients.
4. Add the spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, beans, and oregano to the orzo and toss to combine.
5. Add half of the balsamic dressing and toss again. Taste it and add more dressing if needed. Season with sea salt and black pepper.
6. Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve at room temperature.
Greek Pasta Salad
Serves 8
Ingredients
16 oz rotini pasta
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved (about 2 cups)
½ red onion, chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 cup pitted kalamata olives or black olives, drained and halved
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
⅔ cup crumbled feta
Greek Dressing:
¼ cup red wine vinegar
¼ cup lemon juice
3 large garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. While pasta is cooking, blend red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic cloves, Dijon mustard, oregano, salt, pepper, and oil until combined and smooth.
3. Add drained and cooled pasta to a large bowl with tomatoes, onion, cucumber, bell pepper, olives, parsley, and feta cheese.
4. Add dressing on top and gently toss to coat. Add salt and pepper.
5. Serve right away or place in the fridge to chill before serving. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Chicken Fajita Pasta Salad
Serves 6
Ingredients
8 ounces pasta fusilli or penne
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1 red bell pepper, sliced and cut in half
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced and cut in half
1 poblano pepper, sliced and cut in half
½ red onion, thinly sliced and cut in half
3 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 cups shredded or chopped rotisserie chicken
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 batch Cilantro Lime Dressing (on my website)
salt and pepper to taste
1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the bell peppers, poblano pepper, and onion to a skillet. Saute, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and slightly caramelized, about 7-10 minutes.
3. Add taco seasoning and stir until well combined and all the veggies are coated in the seasoning. Remove from the heat and let cool.
4. While the veggies are cooling, make salad dressing and set aside.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, fajita veggies, cherry tomatoes, and shredded rotisserie chicken.
6. Pour dressing over and toss everything together until well combined.
7. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed and sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro on top. Serve pasta salad immediately or refrigerate for later.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Serves 6
Ingredients
8 oz penne or rotini pasta
1 lb grilled chicken breasts cooked and chopped (2 cups)
1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 1 pint
⅓ cup shaved or shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
sourdough or store-bought croutons
homemade or store-bought Caesar dressing
1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. If you haven’t done so already, cook your chicken and set aside. Once cool, chop it into chunks.
3. While chicken is cooking, make sourdough croutons and Caesar dressing if you plan on making them homemade.
4. To make the salad, add pasta, romaine lettuce, chopped chicken, cherry tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese to a large salad bowl. Add your Caesar dressing to the bowl and toss everything to combine.
5. Add croutons right before serving and enjoy!
