Description
This High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta Salad is a vibrant and nutritious dish combining tender rotini pasta with an assortment of fresh vegetables, tangy Italian dressing, and creamy cottage cheese. Ready in just 25 minutes, it offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures for a satisfying, protein-packed meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 14 oz Barilla rotini pasta
- 1.5 cups Good Culture cottage cheese
- 1 large cucumber, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1.5 cups tomatoes, halved or quartered
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/2 cup spinach, chopped into 1/2-inch ribbons
- 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (Ken’s Steak House recommended)
- 1 pinch oregano
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep Vegetables: While waiting for the pasta water to boil, dice the cucumber into 1/2-inch pieces, halve or quarter the tomatoes, dice the yellow bell pepper into 1/2-inch pieces, finely dice the red onion, and chop the spinach into 1/2-inch ribbons. Arrange each vegetable separately on your cutting board for easy mixing later.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly, then rinse under cold water while tossing gently to stop cooking and remove excess starch. This step prevents clumping and ensures the pasta stays fresh in the salad.
- Combine Pasta and Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with all prepped vegetables. Toss gently to evenly distribute the vegetables without bruising them.
- Add Flavorings: Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice directly into the bowl. Add the Italian dressing and a pinch of oregano, then toss until everything is evenly coated. The lemon juice brightens the flavors and the dressing adds a zesty finish.
- Fold in Cottage Cheese and Season: Gently fold the cottage cheese into the mixture using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to keep the curds intact and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste, folding gently to combine without breaking the curds.
Notes
- Rinsing the pasta under cold water after cooking stops the cooking process and prevents it from sticking.
- Use fresh vegetables to maintain crisp texture and vibrant flavors.
- Gently folding in cottage cheese helps maintain its creamy texture without breaking the curds.
- Feel free to substitute Italian dressing with a homemade vinaigrette for a personalized flavor.
- This salad can be refrigerated for up to 2 days but is best enjoyed fresh to keep the cottage cheese texture intact.
