Skip to main content

Personalized Pasta Salad

Enjoy this quick salad in less than 30 minutes.
Bowl of spiral pasta, chicken and vegetables.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Makes: 4 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked pasta, such as macaroni or rotini
½ cup salad dressing 
2 cups cooked, cubed protein (see Notes)
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 medium bell pepper (any color), cut in 1-inch pieces
½ medium red onion, diced
1 can (4 ounces) sliced black olives

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. Measure 6 cups of water into a large sauce pan.
  4. Bring water to a boil over high heat and add pasta. Cook until tender (about 8 to 10 minutes), stirring occasionally. Drain. Rinse with cold water to cool quickly. Drain well.
  5. Add dressing to pasta and toss lightly.
  6. Add protein and vegetables and toss again.
  7. Chill until ready to serve.
  8. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • Try cooked beans, tofu, chicken, beef, pork, tuna, salmon, turkey, shrimp, or hard-boiled egg for the chicken.
  • Try Food Hero's Red Wine Vinaigrette for your salad dressing.

Comments

I thought this would be a great summer lunch recipe. I personalized it a little more and added canned artichoke hearts, grape tomatoes, and green onions. I used a balsamic vinegarette dressing and topped it with a little more balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper for added flavor. I used store-bought rotisserie chicken, which made this a quick and easy recipe. So flavorful, simple, and quick!

I used this recipe at an after school program and I had the kids choose their own add ins to the pasta so it was truly personalized. They loved it!

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Apple Spice Oatmeal
Homemade oatmeal with chopped apple and warm spices are shown in bowls.

Apple Spice Oatmeal

Make your own quick breakfast with apple, spices and whole-grain oats.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
2 Cups
Rice with Chicken and Vegetables
Bowls of rice with chicken and vegetables topped with cilantro.

Rice with Chicken and Vegetables

A filling and satisfying meal of rice, veggies and chicken that is packed with flavor.
Prepare:
20 to 30 minutes
Cook:
35 minutes
Makes:
7 cups
Garden Sloppy Joes
Open faced buns with a saucy meat and vegetable mix.

Garden Sloppy Joes

Healthy vegetable-packed lunch or dinner favorite!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
6 Sandwiches
Black-Eyed Pea Salad
Bowl of Black-Eyed Pea Salad

Black-Eyed Pea Salad

You’ll love the fresh flavors, textures and versatility of this salad that features black-eyed peas.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Fruit Smoothie 1 (with yogurt)
Bright orange smoothies in glasses with straws.

Fruit Smoothie 1 (with yogurt)

A delicious homemade fruit-flavored shake for breakfast, snack or on-the-go!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Lentil Soup with Lime Juice
Lentil, carrot and bell pepper soup served with lime and a slice of bread.

Lentil Soup with Lime Juice

Filling and tasty lentil soup with spicy green chiles, fresh veggies and a pop of lime!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
60 minutes
Makes:
9 cups
Was this page helpful to you?
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.