Description
A fast, deli‑style pasta salad with chickpea/protein rotini, savory deli meats, crunchy cucumber and peppers, creamy feta, and a zippy light Italian dressing. Toss, chill, and enjoy a filling, make‑ahead lunch or potluck favorite.
Ingredients
8 oz protein or chickpea rotini (any shape)
3/4 cup light Italian dressing (192 g)
1/2 red onion (120 g), chopped
1 large bell pepper (170 g), chopped
1 medium cucumber (250 g), diced
8 oz smoked deli ham (224 g), chopped
5 oz turkey pepperoni (140 g), chopped
5 oz light Italian dry salami (140 g), chopped
4 ultra‑thin provolone slices, chopped
1/2 cup feta (56 g), crumbled
Fresh basil, optional
Instructions
Cook pasta in well‑salted water until al dente (about 7–10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
Dice onion, bell pepper, and cucumber into small, uniform pieces.
Chop ham, turkey pepperoni, salami, and provolone into bite‑size pieces.
In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, vegetables, meats, and cheeses; crumble in the feta.
Drizzle on the light Italian dressing; toss gently until evenly coated.
Add torn basil if using; taste and adjust salt, pepper, and dressing.
Chill at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Salt pasta water generously; rinse pasta cold to keep a firm, bouncy texture.
Briefly soak chopped red onion in cold water to mellow the bite.
Start light on dressing, then add more as needed to avoid sogginess.
If cheese looks dry, add a tiny drizzle of olive oil for sheen.
Make‑ahead: improves after 30–120 minutes of chilling; great up to 4 days.
Swaps: GF pasta for gluten‑free; dairy‑free feta/slices for dairy‑free; add roasted red peppers or cooked quinoa for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 300 g
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: high protein Italian pasta salad, chickpea pasta salad, antipasto pasta salad, protein rotini salad, light Italian dressing pasta salad, meal prep pasta salad