Healthy, Hearty, & Under $20: The Ultimate Pasta Salad

Looking for a fresh, wholesome meal that won’t break the bank? This easy pasta salad is loaded with colorful veggies, plant-based protein, and zesty flavor—all for just $20! Whether you’re meal prepping for the week, bringing a side to a potluck, or just craving something light yet satisfying, this recipe is the perfect addition to your weekly meal rotation.

There’s something so satisfying about a meal that’s both good for your body and gentle on your wallet. This healthy pasta salad is exactly that—loaded with fresh vegetables, pasta, and minimal dressing, all for under $20. It’s perfect for weekday lunches, summer picnics, or as a colorful side to your favorite protein. Packed with fiber, nutrients, and feel-good flavors, this salad proves that healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.

We also love how you can easily customize this recipe and make it your own, depending on what veggies you have on hand in the fridge. Plus it’s super easy to make it in advance, giving you more time to spend outside with friends and family.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Budget-friendly meal — Made with simple, affordable ingredients, all for under $20.
• Quick & easy to make — Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal prep!
• Healthy and nourishing — This pasta salad is not only super flavorful, it’s also packed full of fiber, vitamins, and plant-based protein.
• The ultimate crowd-pleaser — One of the things we love about this salad is how ideal it is to prepare ahead of time for potlucks, picnics, and BBQs. It’s light, tasty, and universally loved. It’s also perfect for meal prep and makes a great grab-and-go lunch.

Ingredients needed

Only 8 ingredients are needed to put together this easy pasta salad. Let’s walk through them together!

• Rotini pasta: Short, corkscrew-shaped pasta is best to use here. We especially find that they hold any dressing in salads beautifully and give a satisfying texture to every bite. You can also use other similar pasta like fusilli.
• Cucumber: For a refreshing crunch!
• Manzanilla olives: We love adding some olives to this pasta salad for their briny, savory flavor profile that works perfectly with the rest of the ingredients.
• Grape tomatoes: The juicy sweetness of tomatoes bring a burst of freshness and add vibrant color to the salad.
• Chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans): Chickpeas are a favorite in our household because they’re the ultimate plant-based protein powerhouse that adds creaminess and makes a more filling meal.
• Fresh mozzarella: For its mild, creamy richness.
• Shredded red cabbage: Adds a satisfying crunchiness and we love the beautiful pop of purple color that it brings to the table.
• Red onion: Adds depth and a touch of zing without overpowering the salad.
• Light dressing (not pictured): Just lemon juice, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper! This salad doesn’t need heavy dressing to be delicious.

How to make pasta salad

Making this recipe is a breeze! Just follow these simple steps to turn out the perfect summery pasta salad:

1. Cook the pasta and prepare the chickpeas. Bring a pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta. Drain, toss with some olive oil, and set aside to cool. Drain and rinse the chickpeas.
2. Chop the veggies and cut the mozzarella. Chop the cucumber and grape tomatoes, thinly slice the red cabbage, and dice the red onion. Cut the mozzarella into small, bite-sized chunks.
3. Toss everything! Throw everything into a large bowl and toss to incorporate. Drizzle some lemon juice, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Then dig in!

Tips for pasta salad

• Cook pasta just right. Boil it just past al dente, so it’s tender but not mushy. And make sure it’s cooled completely before tossing with the rest of the ingredients. Slightly softer pasta holds up better when chilled.
• Balance texture and flavor. When making other variations of this salad, try to aim for a mix of crunchy, creamy, juicy, and tangy elements.
• Cut ingredients uniformly. Dice veggies and cheese into bite-sized pieces so you get a little of everything in each forkful.
• Storage tips: Pasta salad will stay fresh in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. It’s also best to not store it with any dressing already incorporated to prevent sogginess.

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