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Cottage Cheese Pasta Salad

Cottage Cheese Pasta Salad: Light, Fresh, and Protein-Packed

Cottage Cheese Pasta Salad is a delightful blend of vibrant vegetables and high protein, perfect for summer meals.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 9 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 29 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Salad Base
  • 14 oz rotini pasta Barilla rotini is recommended for the best texture.
  • 1.5 cups cottage cheese Good Culture is ideal for creaminess.
For the Vegetables
  • 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 red onion finely diced; soak in water to mellow flavor if desired.
  • 1/2 cup spinach chopped into 1/2-inch ribbons.
For Flavor
  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing preferably Ken's Steak House.
  • 1 lemon juiced.
  • 1 pinch oregano for added flavor.
  • salt & pepper to taste.

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • mixing bowl
  • spatula

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Prep the vegetables by dicing cucumber, halving or quartering tomatoes, dicing yellow bell pepper, finely chopping red onion, and slicing spinach into ribbons.
  2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 7-9 minutes.
  3. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to prevent further cooking.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the prepped vegetables.
  5. Squeeze lemon juice over the mixture and add Italian dressing and oregano, tossing to coat.
  6. Fold in the cottage cheese gently, ensuring it's well integrated without breaking up too much.
  7. Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least one hour before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 15gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 1mg

Notes

This vibrant salad isn't just a meal; it's an experience that brings the taste of summer right to your dining table!

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