High-Protein Italian Pasta Salad
Hi, I’m Brooke! You have probably seen me on Social Media as Meals and Munchies. I’m a busy stay at home mom who loves sharing easy, family-friendly meals that come together fast—because let’s be honest, we don’t always have time for complicated. Whether you’re chasing toddlers, working from home, or just trying to get dinner on the table after work without a fuss, you’re in the right place. Meals and Munchies is where I share real-life recipes that are quick, comforting, and made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Easy recipes for every day life- let’s get cooking!Whether you’re juggling naptime, homework, or just trying to make it to bedtime with dinner on the table, these easy recipes are here to save the day. No fancy techniques, no complicated ingredients—just real-life meals you can make fast, with minimal stress and maximum flavor. Because easy doesn’t mean boring! These recipes are all beginner friendly and are so easy, anyone can make them! In fact, I often do them with a baby in my arms. This High-Protein Italian Pasta Salad is an easy, flavorful, and meal-prep-friendly recipe made with protein-packed pasta, turkey pepperoni, mozzarella pearls, fresh vegetables, and a creamy homemade Italian dressing. Greek yogurt adds extra protein and creaminess to the dressing, while Italian seasoning, red wine vinegar, and Parmesan give the pasta salad plenty of classic Italian-inspired flavor. Ready in under 30 minutes of active preparation, this high-protein pasta salad is perfect for healthy lunches, easy dinners, potlucks, picnics, and weekly meal prep. It stores well in the refrigerator for up to four days, making it a convenient make-ahead meal for busy weekdays.
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
- 1 Colander
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 small mixing bowl
Ingredients
Pasta Salad
- 1 lb Barilla Protein+ pasta, rotini or penne
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/3 cup finely diced red onion
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- 4 oz turkey pepperoni, quartered
- 1/3 cup sliced pepperoncini, optional
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
Creamy Italian Dressing
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta just to al dente according to the package directions. Drain, rinse briefly with cold water, and let cool completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, Italian dressing, red wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Add the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, mozzarella pearls, turkey pepperoni, pepperoncini, and Parmesan to a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the creamy Italian dressing over the pasta salad and toss until all of the ingredients are evenly coated.
- Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30–60 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to come together.