High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta Salad Recipe
A refreshing and high-protein pasta salad featuring creamy cottage cheese, fresh vegetables, and a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for a nutritious lunch or light dinner, this salad combines the satisfying texture of rotini pasta with crisp cucumber, sweet tomatoes, crunchy bell pepper, and spinach ribbons, all brightened with lemon juice and aromatic oregano.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Dairy
- 14 oz Barilla rotini pasta
- 1.5 cups Good Culture cottage cheese
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 finely diced red onion
- 1/2 cup spinach, chopped into 1/2-inch ribbons
Other Ingredients
- 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 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 with cold water is crucial to stop cooking and prevent clumping in the salad.
- Folding in the cottage cheese rather than stirring keeps the curds intact, enhancing the salad’s creamy texture.
- You can substitute Italian dressing with any preferred vinaigrette, but a zesty flavor complements the ingredients best.
- This salad can be served immediately or chilled for an hour to meld flavors.
- For extra protein, consider adding grilled chicken or chickpeas if not strictly vegetarian.
Keywords: Pasta salad, high protein, cottage cheese, healthy lunch, rotini pasta salad, vegetarian pasta salad, Italian dressing, fresh vegetables
