5 skinny pasta salads this week
Looking to lighten up your summer meals? Get creative with pasta salads this week.
Looking to lighten up your summer meals? Get creative with pasta salads this week.
Forget the heavy, buttery sauces typically cooked with pasta, and use light mayo, veggies, and wheat pasta in these recipes below.
Pasta salads are a huge hit at BBQs, and could be served as a side dish or a main course. These recipes include a variety of flavors – including Mediterranean and Asian – and lighter ingredients for less calories and fat.
Monday: Sesame chicken cucumber noodle salad
This sesame chicken noodle salad is simple to make and is full of protein! The recipe calls for Chinese egg noodles or other thin noodles, peanut butter, chicken breasts, red bell peppers, and cucumbers for the main ingredients.
Per serving: 242 calories, 11g fat, 17g carbohydrates, 18g protein, 3g fiber
Tuesday: Pasta salad with shrimp, peppers and onions
This Mediterranean-inspired dish could be the perfect main course. Filled with shrimp, angel hair pasta, veggies, and feta cheese, this low-fat meal will leave you satisfied for only 252 calories.
Per serving: 252 calories, 7.2g fat, 26.7g carbohydrates, 19.8g protein, 1.8g fiber
Wednesday: Summer macaroni salad with tomatoes and zucchini
This meal has summer written all over it: macaroni loaded with fresh tomatoes and zucchini tossed in a light, creamy dressing. Fat-free Greek yogurt is mixed in for even more creaminess. Enjoy for a slimming 115 calories!
Per serving: 115 calories, 2g fat, 23g carbohydrates, 3.3g protein, 3.7g fiber
Thursday: Peas and ham pasta salad
This lightened-up pasta salad uses whole-what pasta, low-fat mayo, ham, and veggies to make it both nutritious and delicious. Plus, it only takes 35 minutes to make!
Per serving: 315 calories, 9g fat, 40g carbohydrates, 21g protein, 6g fiber
Friday: Udon noodle salad with broccoli and spicy tofu
This vegetarian, Asian-inspired salad is a bit spicy. It has many distinctive flavors from the sharp radish, crisp broccoli, and nutty cashew.
Per serving: 438 calories, 24.7g fat, 38.4g carbohydrates, 14.3g protein, 3.4g fiber