High Protein Vibrant Vegetable Pasta Salad

Fuel your day with the "High Protein Vibrant Vegetable Pasta Salad," a healthy and flavorful twist on a classic dish that’s as colorful as it is nourishing. Featuring protein-packed lentil or chickpea pasta and a medley of crisp, fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and spinach, this salad is a nutrient powerhouse. Cooked edamame adds an extra protein boost, while a zesty homemade dressing with olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a hint of maple syrup ties everything together perfectly. Ready in just 25 minutes, this vibrant pasta salad is great for meal prep, picnics, or a quick, satisfying lunch. Serve it chilled or at room temperature and enjoy a refreshing dish that’s gluten-free, high in protein, and bursting with summer flavors. Perfect for those who crave healthy yet delicious meals that are easy to prepare!

Nutriscore Rating: 86/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Lentil or Chickpea Pasta
• 1.5 cups Cherry Tomatoes
• 1 medium Cucumber
• 1 large Red Bell Pepper
• 0.5 small Red Onion
• 1 cup Edamame (shelled, cooked)
• 2 cups Spinach
• 0.5 cup Fresh Basil
• 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 3 tablespoons Lemon Juice
• 2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard
• 1 teaspoon Maple Syrup
• 1 clove Garlic
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lentil or chickpea pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, chop the red bell pepper, finely slice the red onion, and roughly chop the spinach and fresh basil.

Step 3

In a small bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, edamame, spinach, and basil.

Step 5

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.

Step 6

Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1219.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1632.3

Total Fat 61.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2696.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 196.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 37.7g	0%
Total Sugars 31.6g
Protein 87.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 370.7mg	0%
Iron 21.6mg	0%
Potassium 4052.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 32.8%

Protein: 20.8%

Carbs: 46.4%