Health Information Library

Pasta salad with mixed vegetables

July 28, 2022
Recipe

Unlike mayonnaise-based pasta salads, this one uses healthy olive oil and is mixed with sauteed vegetables and herbs.

Serves 8

You can use any shape of pasta for this salad, including shells, farfalle (bow tie), rotini (spiral-shaped) or macaroni. For added variety, try spinach, tomato or carrot-flavored pasta.

To make this plant based, use vegetable stock.


Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta thoroughly. Place pasta in a large serving bowl. Add the olive oil and toss. Set aside.

In a large skillet, heat the chicken broth over medium heat. Add the garlic, onions and tomatoes. Saute until the onions are transparent, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining vegetables and saute until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Stir in the basil and oregano.

Add the vegetable mixture to the pasta. Toss to mix evenly. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour.

Place lettuce leaves on individual plates. Top with the pasta salad and serve immediately.


  • 12 ounces whole-wheat rotini (spiral-shaped) pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 garlic clove, chopped
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 1 can (28 ounces) unsalted diced tomatoes in juice
  • 1 pound mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 2 medium zucchini, shredded
  • 1/2 teaspoon basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 8 romaine lettuce leaves

DASH Eating Plan Servings

Dairy foods (low-fat or fat-free) 1 Fats and oils Fruits 2 Grains and grain products Meats, poultry and fish Nuts, seeds and dry beans Sweets 3 Vegetables

Diabetes Meal Plan Choices

1 Fats Dairy foods (low-fat or fat-free) Fruits Meat and meat substitutes Milk and milk products 3 Nonstarchy vegetables 2 Starches Sweets, desserts and other carbohydrates

Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid Servings

2 Carbohydrates 1 Fats Fruits Protein and dairy Sweets 3 Vegetables

Nutritional analysis per serving

Calcium 251 Calories 46 g Total carbohydrate Trace Cholesterol 8 g Dietary fiber 1.5 g Monounsaturated fat Potassium 10 g Protein 0.5 g Saturated fat About 2 cups Serving size 60 mg Sodium 3 g Total fat