This Lightened Up Italian Pasta Salad is a simple cold pasta salad with a light Italian dressing, turkey pepperoni, fresh vegetables and two different kind of cheeses-Perfect for summer BBQ’s, a large crowd, potlucks!
Author: thepounddropper.com
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Additional Time8 hours
Total Time8 hours 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 16 oz. Macaroni pasta, dry ( I use Barilla Ditalini Pasta or whole wheat macaroni if you have whole grain pasta as a zero point food item)
- 3 reduced fat Colby cheese sticks, diced into small cubes
- 25 turkey pepperoni, diced into quarters
- 1 ( 4 oz.) can olives, drained, rinsed, and diced
- 8 Tbsp fat free or light Italian dressing ( I use Olive Garden’s light Italian dressing)
- 1 ( 1 oz.) dry Italian dressing mix
- 1/2 cup non fat plain or Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup red pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, diced in half
- 3 scallions, diced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional
- 6 Pepperoncini, optional
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni according to the package directions; drain and rinse under cold water. Place in a large mixing bowl; add fat free or light Italian dressing; add diced olives, scallions, pepperoni, Colby cheese, diced red pepper, and grape tomatoes.
- In a small mixing bowl combine, non fat Greek or plain yogurt, and dry Italian dressing mix. Whisk until well incorporated.
- Pour yogurt dressing mixture over the pasta mixture. Stir until all ingredients have been well combined.
- Cover bowl and chill for 8 hours or best chilled overnight at allow all the flavors to blend. Toss again before serving and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Garnish with pepperoncini, if desired.
Makes 12 ( 3/4 cup) servings
5 Points® per serving if using whole grain pasta
6 Points® per serving if using Barilla Ditalini Pasta
Notes
- I love Olive Garden’s light Italian dressing. It is 1 PersonalPoint per 2 Tablespoons and tastes fantastic. You can find it at most grocery stores in the dressing aisle or online here on Amazon.
Smartpoints: GREEN: 6 Smartpoints per serving BLUE: 6 Smartpoints per serving PURPLE: 2 SmartPoints per serving if using whole wheat macaroni or 6 Smartpoints per serving if using regular macaroni