Vitality-Boosting Pasta Salad

This pasta salad – developed by leading nutrition expert Rose Reisman – is a powerhouse when it comes to vitality-boosting ingredients, including whole grains, edamame beans, berries, orange veggies and Greek yogurt.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 pkg (375 g) whole wheat rotini, such as Catelli® Healthy Harvest®
  • 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 cups (500 mL) peeled and chopped sweet potato
  • 3/4 cup (175 mL) shelled edamame beans
  • 1 cup (250 mL) dried cranberries
  • 3 oz (90 g) crumbled light feta cheese, about 1/2 cup (125 mL)
  • 1/3 cup (75 mL) chopped fresh basil or parsley

Dressing

  • 2/3 cup (150 mL) zero fat Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) low fat milk
  • 1/4 cup (60 mL) balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tbsp (45 mL) light mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tbsp (22.5 mL) honey
  • 1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) crushed garlic

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425F (220C).
  2. Arrange the chopped pepper, in a single layer, on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  3. Bake for 10 minutes or until softened and coloured around the edges. Cool completely.
  4. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Add rotini and sweet potato.
  5. Cook for 8 minutes; add edamame beans during the last minute of cooking.
  6. Drain well and rinse with cold water until rotini is cold. Add to a large serving bowl.
  7. Stir in the cranberries, feta, basil and roasted peppers.

Dressing

  1. Whisk the yogurt with the milk, vinegar, mayonnaise, oil, honey and garlic until well combined.
  2. Pour over the pasta mixture and toss until well combined.

*Per serving (1 1/2 cups/375 mL): 529 calories, 14 g fat, 1.8 g saturated fat, 7.2 mg cholesterol, 373.2 mg sodium, 90 g carbohydrates, 12.5 g fibre, 18 g sugars, 21.8 g protein.