Can I make High Protein Italian Pasta Salad ahead of time?

Yes—and it’s even better after it sits. Make it the night before or in the morning for super easy lunches.

How long does it last in the fridge?

Typically 3–4 days in an airtight container. If you’re meal prepping, keep a little extra dressing on the side for refreshing it.

Can I swap the meats?

Totally. If you don’t have ham or salami, you can use cooked chicken, leftover turkey, or even extra pepperoni. The goal is protein + flavor.

What if I can’t find Olive Garden light Italian dressing?

Any light Italian dressing works. Choose one you already like—this salad depends on that zesty Italian flavor.

Can I make it vegetarian?

Yes. Skip the meats and add protein in other ways: extra feta, chopped mozzarella, white beans, or even diced tofu. (And definitely keep the chickpea pasta.)

5 Easy High Protein Italian Pasta Salad Bliss

Description

This High Protein Italian Pasta Salad is a fresh, filling, meal-prep-friendly salad made with protein pasta, crisp veggies, savory deli meats, and two cheeses tossed in zesty Italian dressing.

Ingredients

Scale

1 (8 oz) box protein or chickpea rotini pasta (or any shape)
3/4 cup Olive Garden light Italian dressing
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1 large bell pepper (red/yellow/orange), chopped
1 medium cucumber, peeled and diced
8 oz smoked deli ham, chopped
5 oz turkey pepperoni, chopped
5 oz light Italian dry salami, chopped
4 slices ultra-thin provolone, chopped
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Fresh basil, optional

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Instructions

Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions (salt the water). Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
Chop veggies: Dice the red onion, bell pepper, and cucumber into small, even pieces.
Chop meats & cheese: Chop ham, turkey pepperoni, salami, and provolone into bite-size pieces.
Mix: In a large bowl, combine pasta, veggies, meats, provolone, and feta.
Dress: Pour Italian dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
Chill: Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Add basil (optional) before serving and enjoy.

Notes

For best texture, keep pasta al dente.

Pasta soaks up dressing as it sits—add an extra splash of dressing before serving if needed.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 1/2 cups)
Calories: 420 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 980 mg
Fat: 19 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 34 g
Fiber: 6 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg