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Let me tell you about my absolute favorite meal-prep miracle – this protein pasta salad! It changed my lunch game completely when I discovered how deliciously it hits that magical 30g protein mark per bowl. Week after week, I’d make big batches of this chickpea pasta wonder to power through my afternoon slumps.
The secret? That dreamy cottage cheese dressing clings to every bite of protein-packed chickpea noodles and tender chicken. And those crisp edamame? Absolute perfection for texture! What started as a desperate attempt to meal prep something satisfying became my signature protein pasta salad that friends constantly ask me to make.
Here’s why you’ll love it too: this macro-balanced beauty gets better in the fridge (perfect for make-ahead meals) while keeping all its fresh flavors and satisfying crunch. Trust me – one bite of this cold, creamy protein pasta salad and you’ll be hooked just like I was!
Why You’ll Love This Protein Pasta Salad
Oh my goodness, where do I even start? This protein pasta salad checks ALL the boxes for me. First off, it’s crazy easy to throw together – we’re talking 20 minutes tops if you’ve got cooked chicken ready to go. And that cottage cheese dressing? It whips up in my blender faster than I can say “30g protein lunch”!
But here’s what really gets me excited: how ridiculously customizable this macro friendly pasta is. Extra veggies? Toss ‘em in! Want more crunch? Double the edamame (I always do). Need a vegetarian version? Skip the chicken and load up on chickpeas instead. The possibilities make my meal-prep heart so happy!
Oh! And let’s talk texture. That perfect bite with creamy dressing clinging to every piece of chickpea pasta? The little pops of edamame crunch? The tender chicken bites? Pure lunchtime magic, my friends. Plus, it actually gets BETTER after sitting overnight – talk about a make-ahead dream come true!
Ingredients for Protein Pasta Salad
Let’s gather everything that makes this dish so special! Here’s what you’ll need:
For the base:
- 8 oz chickpea pasta (my secret for extra protein)
- 1 cup diced cooked chicken breast
For crunch:
- 1/2 cup shelled edamame
For the creamy dressing:
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Quick tips: If you don’t have Greek yogurt, more cottage cheese works fine. And don’t forget to shell those edamame – they add such great texture!
How to Make Protein Pasta Salad
Alright friends, let me show you EXACTLY how I make this protein pasta salad that’s become my weekly meal-prep obsession! First things first – gather all your ingredients because this beauty comes together FAST.
Step 1: Cook the Chickpea Pasta
For our protein-packed base, bring that chickpea pasta to al dente perfection. Boil in well-salted water for about 8 minutes (check your package directions though – some brands vary). The moment it’s got that perfect bite, drain it and give it a quick cold water rinse. This stops the cooking immediately so our protein pasta salad maintains that ideal texture we crave!
Step 2: Prepare the Cottage Cheese Dressing
While the pasta cools, let’s whip up that magical dressing that makes this protein pasta salad so special. Toss everything – cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice and garlic powder – into your blender or food processor. Blend until silky smooth! The consistency should coat the back of a spoon beautifully. Too thick? A splash of water works wonders.
Now the fun part – assembly! In your biggest mixing bowl, gently combine the cooled protein-packed pasta, diced chicken, and those crunchy edamame gems. Fold in the dressing until every single piece is perfectly coated. Here’s the secret – resist diving in immediately! Cover and refrigerate your protein pasta salad for at least an hour (or overnight if you can wait). This chilling time transforms good ingredients into an absolute flavor explosion!
Meal Prep Tips for Protein Pasta Salad
Okay friends, let me share my hard-earned meal prep secrets for keeping this protein pasta salad tasting fresh all week! First tip: portion your make ahead protein salad into single-serve containers right after mixing – I like those 2-cup glass ones with the cute latches. This keeps everything from getting jumbled in the fridge.
Want next-level crunch? Pack your extra veggies (I’m lookin’ at you, bell peppers and cucumbers) in tiny bags or silicon muffin cups on top. Toss them in just before eating – game changer! The dressing actually protects the chickpea pasta from drying out, so no worries about soggy textures here.
Hot tip: if you suddenly crave it warm (happens to me too), microwave your protein pasta salad for just 30 seconds. The cottage cheese dressing gets extra creamy and comforting. But honestly? I love it straight from the fridge – that tangy garlicky flavor gets even better by day two!
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s talk nutrition – but keepin’ it simple, promise! These numbers are estimates (my portions tend to be…generous), but here’s the scoop per serving: you’re looking at about 320 calories packed with a whopping 30g protein and 8g fiber. Oh and just 6g fat – gotta love that!
Now, your exact macros might dance around a bit depending on how much chicken you add (I definitely eyeball mine) or if you swap ingredients. The important thing? This protein pasta salad fuels you up without weighing you down. Seriously – I’ve powered through many a marathon workday with this beauty!
Common Questions About Protein Pasta Salad
I get asked about this protein pasta salad recipe ALL the time! Here are the most frequent questions that pop up in my DMs and comments:
Can I use regular pasta instead of chickpea pasta?
You totally can, but here’s the thing – you’ll lose about half the protein punch that makes this macro friendly pasta salad so special! If you must swap, try mixing half regular pasta with half chickpea noodles to keep some of that good protein boost. But trust me, once you taste chickpea pasta, you might never go back!
How long does this protein pasta salad last in the fridge?
Hands down, one of the BEST things about this make ahead protein salad is it stays fresh for up to 4 days in airtight containers! The flavors actually improve overnight as the dressing works its magic. Just give it a quick stir before eating – those edamame still stay perfectly crisp!
What other veggies can I add to mix it up?
Oh honey, the possibilities are endless! Bell peppers give amazing crunch, cherry tomatoes add juicy pops (add last minute though), and cucumber slices keep things fresh. My secret? Roasted broccoli florets – they soak up the garlicky dressing like little flavor sponges!
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just skip the chicken and add extra edamame or chickpeas. Sometimes I’ll crumble in some tempeh bacon too – gives that smoky flavor without meat. Still hits that 30g protein lunch goal thanks to our superstar chickpea pasta!
Got more questions? Slide into my Pinterest comments – I love hearing your creative twists on this protein pasta salad!
Share Your Protein Pasta Salad Creations
I’d love to see your version of this dish! Snap a photo of your lunch prep and share it on Pinterest – look for KitchenUser to show me your masterpiece. Your creative twists inspire me to keep experimenting in the kitchen!
PrintHigh Protein Pasta Salad
A macro-balanced cold pasta dish perfect for meal prep. Packed with protein from chickpea pasta, lean chicken, and cottage cheese dressing.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
- 8 oz chickpea pasta
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup edamame
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook chickpea pasta according to package instructions. Drain and let cool.
- In a bowl, mix cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Combine cooled pasta, chicken, edamame, and dressing in a large bowl.
- Toss well and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Store in meal-prep containers for up to 4 days.
- Add extra veggies like bell peppers or cucumbers for crunch.
- Find more recipes on our Pinterest account.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 45mg