Easy Pasta Salad Recipe with Homemade Italian Dressing

feta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: ricotta cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat while still providing creaminess.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil offers a similar flavor with healthier fats.

kalamata olives

🥗Healthier: green olives

💰Cheaper: black olives

Green olives are lower in calories and can be more affordable.

pasta

🥗Healthier: whole grain pasta

💰Cheaper: pasta made from lentils

Whole grain pasta adds fiber, while lentil pasta is high in protein.

Cook 500 grams of fusilli pasta according to package instructions for 12 minutes.

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the Italian dressing by adding 120 ml of olive oil to a jam jar.

Add 3 tablespoons of white wine vinegar, the zest and juice of half a lemon, and 1 clove of minced garlic to the jar.

Then add 1 teaspoon of sugar, 0.5 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of salt flakes, 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh parsley.

Mix the dressing ingredients together in the jar until well combined.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander over the sink and run it under cold water to stop the cooking process.

Transfer the cooked pasta to a large serving bowl.

Add chopped multicoloured tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, baby cucumbers, red onion, and pea shoots to the bowl.

Drizzle half of the dressing over the salad and toss everything together gently to combine.

Sprinkle a little bit of parsley on top and serve with the remaining dressing.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens