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Easy No-Heat School Lunch Pasta Salad with White Beans

no-heat school lunch pasta salad - featured image
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A quick and easy no-heat pasta salad perfect for school lunches, featuring white beans for creaminess and protein, fresh veggies, and a bright lemon vinaigrette dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (about 85g) small pasta shapes like rotini, shells, or elbows
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425g) white beans, drained and rinsed (cannellini or great northern beans)
  • ½ cup (75g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup (65g) diced cucumber, peeled if preferred
  • ¼ cup (15g) finely chopped red onion or scallions (optional)
  • ¼ cup (10g) chopped fresh parsley or basil
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 ½ cups (85g) of your chosen small pasta shapes and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta well in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, drained and rinsed white beans, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, chopped red onion (if using), and fresh herbs.
  5. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until evenly coated, being careful not to mash the beans.
  6. Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld, or refrigerate briefly before packing if time allows.

Notes

Use al dente pasta and rinse with cold water to prevent sogginess. Rinse canned beans well to reduce sodium and avoid watery salad. Toss gently to keep beans whole. Dressing can be adjusted with apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinaigrette. Salad can be made ahead but add dressing close to serving time for best freshness.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, no-heat, school lunch, white beans, easy recipe, vegetarian, vegan, healthy lunch, quick pasta salad

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/easy-no-heat-school-lunch-pasta-salad-with-white-beans-recipe-for-perfect-packing/