Flavor Unlocked: Try These Tasty Low-Calorie Pasta Salad Recipes

It can be easy to fall into a rut with your daily meals. Many have even turned to food prepping to cut down on their decisions and to have healthy, convenient meals on hand. No matter how the week flows, these low-calorie pasta salad recipes will give you the energy you need while satisfying your tummy and taste buds.

Eating a low-calorie diet is a great way to manage your weight. Though remember to always consult with your physician, a registered dietitian, or a nutritionist before implementing any diet to prioritize your overall health. 

If calorie counting is the path for you, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 suggest a caloric range based on age and activity level. For female adults 18 and over, that range is 1,800 to 2,400 calories per day. Anything below that range could be considered low-calorie.

The best thing about the following recipes is that you can use whatever you have in your refrigerator and improvise with ingredients you like. Feel free to add or subtract ingredients to suit your taste and budget.

In just 25 minutes, you can whip up this wonderful Italian Pasta Salad from Lite Cravings. Just seven ingredients make up the salad, including cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and fresh mozzarella. You can make this a meat-eater delight with turkey pepperoni or vegetarian with chickpeas. The recipe also includes a simple dressing of Dijon mustard, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and a few seasonings that bring the flavor.

This Macaroni Salad from Food.com can also be low-carb. The recipe calls for a low-carb pasta and recommends the macaroni pasta made by Dreamfields. This creamy salad consists of red onions, hard-boiled eggs, and other veggies. The dressing is made of Miracle Whip and yellow mustard with fresh herbs to take it to the next level.

If you want a recipe you can eat from throughout the week, this Garden Vegetable Pasta Salad from Yummly makes 16 servings. Featuring zucchini, capers, feta cheese, and fresh herbs, this salad will have you excited for your next bite. If vegetarianism is not your scene, you can also add meat or seafood to this recipe.

If you’re trying to add more protein to your diet, this Easy High Protein Pasta Salad from My Plantiful Cooking will fit the bill. Chickpea pasta, red kidney beans, and edamame give this recipe a bump in protein. The recipe also provides directions for making a fresh dressing and plenty of ingredient alternatives so you can make this dish your own.

Enjoy these low-calorie pasta salad recipes no matter the season. And remember, you can adjust them to your dietary and cultural needs.

The author’s content and opinions have not been pre-reviewed, approved or endorsed by Discover.