The best side dish that’s perfect for those fun summer days!
No more worrying about what to bring to your backyard barbecues, picnic dates or family grill outs – this easy and tasty pasta salad will be your go-to! It’s loaded with fresh veggies, protein-packed noodles and a tangy light dressing, making it a staple summer dish.
There’s nothing better than a fresh and flavorful side to compliment any meal!
Hi there! 👋🏼 Here in Iowa, we’re in full summer mode. It’s been 90+ degrees for the past week, so we’ve also been grilling out and hanging out on the deck, it’s my favorite time of the year! ☀️
Nick and I were planning on building a garden this summer, but we’ve decided to wait until next year 😢 because, 1. We need to find a good spot in our backyard that would work and 2. We have plenty of other things to occupy our time with these days. So next year it is!
It’s crazy how our bodies have different cravings depending on the weather. One of the best parts of summer is the food. Big fresh salads. Popsicles. Fruits and veggies. and PASTA SALAD.
Who doesn’t love pasta salad? I mean seriously?! It’s such a summer staple.
Which is exactly why I had to create my own healthy rendition.
Pasta salad is not a typical side dish that you think of making when you’re on a diet or trying to make something light. But now you can!
This easy pasta salad uses Banza noodles, which are high protein, gluten free noodles, made from chickpeas. Say Whaaa?! Yes, you read that correctly. Now I know what you’re thinking, those have to taste like poo. But I’m here to tell you that you are wrong.
I’ve tried A LOT of different gluten free pastas, and I mean a lot, and nothing compares to this brand. Even my dad liked them, which is saying something!! (hi dad 👋🏼) And not only are they gluten free and delicious, but they’re packed with 25 grams of protein with each serving!!!! That’s banza. Hehe see what I did there 👈🏼😂
And it doesn’t stop there. If you follow me on social, you know I’m a big fan of the Bolthouse Farms Dressing. I’ve used their products in a number of my recipes, so it should come to no surprise that I did it once again.
I used their Italian Vinaigrette for the dressing, which is only 25 calories per 2 tablespoons (there’s only ½ cup in the entire recipe!) and it’s also free from artificial flavors and preservatives.
It’s the real deal, you guys!
Here’s what you’ll need:
A box of Banza Noodles (I used the rotini)
Green Onion
Baby Carrots
Red Pepper
Green Pepper
Cherry Tomatoes
Black Olives
Cheese (I used colby, but you could use sharp cheddar or pepperjack)
Bolthouse’s Italian Vinaigrette Dressing
You’ll cook the noodles for about 10 minutes and while your waiting for the pasta to cook, you’ll slice up all your veggies and cheese. Once the noodles are soft, you’ll drain them, toss them in a big bowl and place it in the fridge for a few minutes to cool. Once it’s cool, you’ll add the veggies, cheese and dressing and mix it up, until the noodles are wet and everything is combined.
The pasta salad will keep for up to 5 days, but if you’re anything like my family, it will be gone after the first night 🙂
And feel free to replace any of the veggies with others you like better!
Now, what are you waiting for?!
- • 1 8 oz package Rotini Banza Noodles
- • ⅓ cup baby carrots, sliced
- • ⅓ cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
- • ¼ cup black olives, sliced
- • ¼ cup green onions, diced
- • ⅓ cup green pepper, diced
- • ⅓ cup red pepper, diced
- • ½ cup colby jack cheese, cubed
- • ½ cup Bolthouse Italian Vinaigrette dressing
- Heat a large pot on the stove until water boils. Add 1 box of Rotini Banza Noodles. Cook noodles according to box, or until soft (~10 minutes), stirring occasionally.
- While pasta cooks, slice ⅓ cup baby carrots, ⅓ cup cherry tomatoes, ¼ cup black olives (I buy pre-sliced). Then dice ¼ cup green onions, ⅓ cup green pepper, ⅓ cup red pepper and cube ½ cup cheese of your choice (I used colby).
- Once noodles are done, drain, pour in large bowl and place noodles in fridge to cool.
- Once cooled, add the vegetables, cheese and ½ cup Bolthouse Farms Italian Vinaigrette dressing.
- Mix until the noodles are wet and everything is combined. Enjoy!
Looking for a main dish to pair whip up with this pasta salad? Try out these!
Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken
Turkey Meatloaf
Veggie Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
BLT Collard Wrap
