We don’t know if you’re like this, but it seems like every month there’s always something new we’re trying to do. Like reading a list of books or learning a new hobby or trying out a new schedule. Well, this month we’re trying to eat more healthy foods and work out, which led us to create Health-Kick Pasta Salad. It has some bouncy noodles for a source of a few carbs, but there’s also plenty of fresh and nourishing veggies to give us everything we need. The tangy, creamy dressing that’s tossed in made us realize that this might not just be a phase. Health-Kick Pasta Salad is a habit we will never break!
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the salad:
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 8 ounces kale, chopped
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup parmesan, grated
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
Directions
Step 1 –In a bowl, whisk the olive oil, the balsamic vinegar, the mayonnaise, the Dijon, the garlic, the basil, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper together until smooth and creamy.
Step 2 –In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions.
Step 3 –Drain the pasta in a colander and let it cool.
Step 4 –In a large bowl, add the kale, drizzle it with 1/3 of the dressing, and use your hands to massage the dressing into the kale until it has wilted to half of its volume.
Step 5 –Add the cooked pasta to the kale and top with the tomatoes, the onions, the chickpeas, and the parmesan.
Step 6 –Pour the remaining dressing over the salad and toss to thoroughly coat.
Step 7 –Season the salad with the salt and the pepper.
Step 8 –Serve.
