Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
With Labor Day around the corner here is one of my fave, make-ahead side dish for any get together! This is more of a template than a recipe that can be both gluten free and dairy free .You can throw in WHATEVER ingredients sound good or simply add what you have on hand!
Pick a pasta( 4 cups)Pick your veggies ( 2-4 cups)Pick a few fun toppings (cheese, nuts, seeds, protein etc.) (~1/2 cup)Pick your dressing (~3/4 cup)
Make this FUN starch+ veggie side when feeling in a rut with lunch prep.
Pick a pasta( 4 cups)Pick your veggies ( 2-4 cups)Pick a few fun toppings (cheese, nuts, seeds, protein etc.) (~1/2 cup)Pick your dressing (~3/4 cup) Make this FUN starch+ veggie side when feeling in a rut with lunch prep.Ingredients
Salad
- 1 red onion chopped
- 1 jar marinated artichokes chopped
- 2 red bell peppers chopped
- 1 package organic salami sliced into ribbons
- 1 package fontina cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup fresh basil chopped
- 1 jar Castelvetrano olives chopped
- 1 large carrot chopped
- 4 stalks celery chopped
- 1 box fusilli pasta (I used cassava but @eatbanza or a lentil based pasta is also a great higher protein choice!)
- 2 cups arugula
Dressing
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic microplane
- 1 tbsp oregano dried
- 1/2 tsp salt
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients together and marinate in the fridge! Toss in shortly before serving
Notes
You can also use store-bought dressing! 3/4 bottle of the Italian Pepperoncini @sirkensingtons vinaigrette is so good!
Other optional add in ingredients?
Chickpeas
Pepperoncini
Roasted Red Peppers
Fennel, chopped
Another Note:
Blood sugar stability is SO important for hormone health, reducing cravings, and for PCOS management!
Tips for making this pasta salad a blood sugar stabilizing meal?
Make the pasta salad a side and pair with a palm full of protein and 1/2 plate of veggie slaw
Use a bean based pasta for a protein boost
Keep your pasta to veggie ratio at least equal!
Add organic full fat cheese or nuts and seeds as a fat source
If making the pasta salad a meal try topping over leafy greens and adding beans or a protein to the bowl!
ChickpeasPepperonciniRoasted Red PeppersFennel, chopped
Another Note:
Blood sugar stability is SO important for hormone health, reducing cravings, and for PCOS management!
Tips for making this pasta salad a blood sugar stabilizing meal?Make the pasta salad a side and pair with a palm full of protein and 1/2 plate of veggie slawUse a bean based pasta for a protein boostKeep your pasta to veggie ratio at least equal!Add organic full fat cheese or nuts and seeds as a fat sourceIf making the pasta salad a meal try topping over leafy greens and adding beans or a protein to the bowl!
