High Protein Pasta Salad with Salami and Mozzarella
Quick and easy American-Italian pasta salad with protein - with lentil pasta, salami and mozzarella. The perfect high protein salad for a post workout meal, a quick hearty lunch or a healthy dinner!
Servings: 4
Calories: 561kcal
Ingredients
For the pasta salad
- 250 g (8.8 oz) red lentil pasta
- 80 g (2.8 oz) salami sliced into strips
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
- 200 g (7 oz) cherry tomatoes halved
- 100 g (3.5 oz) mozzarella pearls
- 10-12 black olives torn into halves
- 6-8 pepperoncini sliced
- ¼ cup basil leaves roughly torn
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp pepperoncini brine optional
- 1 small clove garlic finely grated or minced
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp chili flakes optional
- 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp Kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the lentil pasta according to the package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and let it cool.
- If you find fresh red onion to punch, optionally prep the onions by soaking the slices in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce their sharp quality, then drain and pat dry.
- Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, pepperoncini brine, garlic, Dijon mustard, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper in a bowl or jar and mix/shake to combine. I like to use a jar so I can shake together the ingredients to combine well.
- Assemble the salad. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, salami, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, pepperoncini, and red onion.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Add the fresh basil and toss gently once more. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to let the flavours meld.
Nutrition
Calories: 561kcal | Protein: 22.8g