With fresh, crisp veggies and creamy cottage cheese, this pasta salad offers a perfect blend of flavors. It's ideal for a quick lunch, a side dish, or a potluck contribution. This dish is an ideal Phase Three ViCera recipe. I hope you enjoy this creamy cottage cheese garden pasta as much as I do—it's a great addition to any meal!
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces of cassava flour pasta (I use this brand)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes diced in half
- 1 cucumber sliced and diced in fourths
- 1 sliced yellow bell pepper
- 1 cup of spinach finely chopped
- 1 lemon juiced
- 2 cups of cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup of Italian dressing (my recipe)
Directions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the cassava flour pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and lightly toss it with olive oil to prevent sticking
2. Prepare the Vegetables:
- While the pasta is cooking, halve the cherry tomatoes, slice and dice the cucumber, and slice the yellow bell pepper.
- Finely chop the spinach.
3. Combine Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, yellow bell pepper, and spinach.
- Pour the lemon and Italian dressing mixture over the pasta and vegetables.
- Add the cottage cheese to the bowl.
4. Toss the Salad:
- Gently toss all the ingredients together until well combined and evenly coated with the dressing.
5. Chill and Serve:
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve chilled and enjoy!
Serving Ideas:
As a Side Dish:
- Serve alongside grilled meats or fish for a light and refreshing complement.
- Pair it with my Simple Smashburgers
As a Main Course:
- Add shredded rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken strips to make it a more substantial meal.
Macros Per Serving:
The recipe yields 8 servings
1 cup per serving
- Calories: 370
- Carbohydrates: 80g
- Fat: 2g
- Protein: 9g
A Few Thoughts:
- I love how adaptable this recipe is. Sometimes, I add rotisserie chicken to make it a hearty meal, or I mix in extra veggies for even more crunch and flavor. The combination of creamy cottage cheese and fresh veggies with the light cassava pasta works so well together!
- I know that some people are intimidated by the texture of cottage cheese. Although I don't find that to be an issue in this dish at all, you can always blend it up before adding it to ensure a silky smooth texture.
