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Picnic Pasta Salad

Picnic Pasta Salad

Photo: Goran Kosanovic for The Washington Post

This colorful, whole grain pasta salad, chock-full of vegetables and fresh mozzarella cheese in an herb-garlic vinaigrette dressing, earns its name because of the way it holds up in a cooler pack –there is nothing in it that gets mushy or wilts–making it ideal for toting to a picnic, or for a lunchbox for work or school.

 

Ingredients:

8 ounces whole grain fusilli pasta

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 small clove garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 medium yellow bell pepper, diced

½ pint grape tomatoes, quartered

1 cup cooked, chilled, coarsely chopped broccoli

6 ounces fresh, part-skim mozzarella cheese, cut into ¼- ½ -inch dice

 

Directions:

Cook the pasta al dente according to the directions on the package. Drain, then transfer to a large bowl, toss with 1 teaspoon of the oil, and allow it to cool completely.

In a small bowl whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons olive oil, vinegar, oregano, basil, garlic, salt and black pepper.

Add the bell pepper, tomatoes, broccoli, mozzarella and dressing to the pasta and toss to combine.

 

Makes 4 servings

Serving size 1 ½ cups

Per serving: Calories 450 ; Total Fat 21 g; (Sat Fat 6 g); Protein 21 g; Carb 47 g; Fiber 7 g; Cholesterol 25 mg; Sodium 590 mg, Total Sugar 3 g (Added Sugar 0 g)

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