Pasta salads have been a popular go to side dishes for get-togethers with friends and family. But they aren't always the healthiest, right?
Well, like anything, it depends on the ingredients. Many pasta salads contain pasta from bleached flour that has a high glycemic index. Also, they are commonly made with store-bought dressings made with vegetable and seed oils that are highly inflammatory. On a flavor note, pasta salad can be mushy, bland and boring.
What if we told you we have a gluten free, gut-friendly, healthy pasta salad recipe for you that you'll be proud to serve?
We got it and guess what? It's time to bring back the pasta salad!
Our pasta salad is loaded with tasty fermented foods like Kalamata Olives and Veggie Medley (a mix of vegetables, also know as Giardiniera).
Tossed with our favorite gluten free pasta and plenty of vegetables, we're including two dressing options to choose from, each made with a pickle juice as a base.
Our gut friendly pasta salad is great addition to any meal, and it takes less than 30 minutes to make.
Pro Tip: You can easily kick up this side dish into a full meal by adding protein such as grilled chicken or salmon. We love mixing in even more vegetables like asparagus, peas, chopped red onion or diced cucumbers. You can make it more like a Greek salad like by adding feta cheese.
So what are you waiting for? Give this healthy pasta salad recipe a try at your next family meal or potluck and let us know what you think.
Gut Healthy Probiotic Pasta Salad
Olive My Pickle Kalamata Olives & Veggie Medley
Looking for a healthy pasta dish to share with family and friends? This pasta salad is your new go to, great for gathering and cookouts. Made with gluten free pasta and packed with fiber and probiotics from fermented foods, this is a completely guilt free pasta salad.
Ingredients - serves 4
- One box farfalle (a.k.a. bowtie pasta). We chose Jovial Gluten Free pasta - cooked al dente in boiling water
- 1/2 cup mixed cherry or heirloom tomatoes, sliced in half or cubed
- 1 can quartered artichoke hearts, drained
- 3/4 cup Olive My Pickle Veggie Medley - chopped
- 1/2 cup Olive My Pickle Kalamata Olives
- 4 oz. salad dressing - *see recipes below*
- optional: fresh basil or fresh cilantro as garnish
Instructions
- Boil pasta according to box directions, drain & rinse with cold water.
- Place cooked pasta in a large bowl, add dressing to coat noodles and mix.
- Slice olives and cherry tomatoes in half, add to bowl.
- Add artichoke hearts and chopped Veggie Medley.
- Toss with dressing.
- Chill for 30 minutes in the fridge, this salad is best served cold.
Creamy Probiotic Pasta Salad Dressing
LiveBrine: Classic Kosher Dill
- 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup LiveBrine Probiotic Pickle Juice: Classic Kosher Dill
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3 Tbsp parmesan cheese
- 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp black pepper - to taste
- 2 cloves Olive My Pickle California Fermented Garlic - minced
Whisk together in a bowl or shake in a mason jar.
Olive Oil, Garlic and Lemon Probiotic Salad Dressing
LiveBrine: Classic Kosher Dill
- 2 oz (a shot glass size) of LiveBrine Probiotic Pickle Juice: Classic Kosher Dill
- 1 juiced lemon
- 2 oz extra virgin olive oil
- 1-2 cloves raw or Olive My Pickle California Fermented Garlic
- Pepper to taste
Whisk together in a bowl or shake in a mason jar.
Here at Olive My Pickle, we' advocate for eating plenty of colorful plants, the cleanest meat you can afford and lots of healthy fats.
Our blog is full of creative recipes to help you add more fermented foods into your everyday meals.
Be sure to check out our 7 Olive Recipes to to Help you Live the Healthy Mediterranean Lifestyle to have more healthy olive recipes in your collection.