Quinoa Pasta-less "Pasta Salad"

Quinoa Pasta-less

4.1 of 5 (8)
member ratings
Nutritional Info
  • Servings Per Recipe: 10
  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 209.8
  • Total Fat: 9.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 17.3 mg
  • Sodium: 299.2 mg
  • Total Carbs: 23.0 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2.6 g
  • Protein: 8.1 g

View full nutritional breakdown of Quinoa Pasta-less "Pasta Salad" calories by ingredient


Introduction

My family loves pasta salad for picnics. Since I haven't been eating pasta as part of my diet, I would just make it and do without. Well, for Labor Day, I realized I didn't have pasta and decided to use some quinoa I had in the pantry. This is tasty, nutty and HEALTHY!! Your family will most likely NOT miss their pasta. Add green and red pepper, chopped onion, small diced broccolli and cauliflower, cucumber and any garden fresh veggie to make even better! My family loves pasta salad for picnics. Since I haven't been eating pasta as part of my diet, I would just make it and do without. Well, for Labor Day, I realized I didn't have pasta and decided to use some quinoa I had in the pantry. This is tasty, nutty and HEALTHY!! Your family will most likely NOT miss their pasta. Add green and red pepper, chopped onion, small diced broccolli and cauliflower, cucumber and any garden fresh veggie to make even better!
Number of Servings: 10

Ingredients

    1 cup dry quinoa (rinsed if not already done by manufacturer)
    2 cups water
    1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
    1/4 cup green olives, sliced in half
    4 oz cheddar or mozarrella cheese cut in small cubes
    1.5 oz pepperoni cut in quarters (this is one sleeve from a small 3 oz package of sliced pepperoni) - turkey pepperoni would work well too.
    1/3 cup Light Italian Dressing

Directions

Make quinoa according to package directions on stove top or microwave and let cool a bit. Transfer to serving dish and add remaining ingredients and toss.
Refrigerate until flavors meld and it is cool (about 3 or 4 hours).
*bring calories down with 2% cheese, turkey pepperoni and fat free dressing.

Number of Servings: 10

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user JOEKNEE.

Member Ratings For This Recipe


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    skipped the pepperoni -- great salad. - 7/7/19


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    Very Good
    My family really liked this! - 6/14/15


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    Very Good
    This was very good. Added some extras as suggested and makes a great side dish for those hot summer nights. Thank you! - 7/9/12


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    Incredible!
    This is my first time cooking with quinoa, and definitely not my last. This is delish! I also added about 1 cup cucumber and 1 cup of carrots, to add a few more veggies. Not sure how anyone could rate this a bad recipe!! - 5/22/11


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    Bad
    0 of 1 people found this review helpful
    Didn't like this at all. Like quinoa but not in this recipe. - 4/21/10

    Reply from JOEKNEE (4/21/10)
    Sorry about that b/c my ten year old - picky - loved it!
    Could you be more specific on WHY you didnt like it to help others who might want to try the recipe?



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    Incredible!
    Sounds very good. - 8/5/09


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    I recently just discovered quinoa, and I have to say its probably the best thing I've ever had. The only thing I get sad about is once I digest it, I'm back to starving in only an hour or two. Satisfying and filling! My body just loves it too much! ^.^ - 7/11/09


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    Very Good
    Quinoa is such a superfood. It's amazing that something so good for you can be so incredibly easy to make! If the world ate quinoa instead of rice - there would be 1/2 as much diabetes in the world! - 9/8/08


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    Incredible!
    Can't wait to try this! - 9/4/08