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Summer Meal Prep Pasta Salad the Whole Family Will Grab All Week

Easy Summer Meal Prep Pasta Salad Family Recipe

Summer meal prep pasta salad family loves. Easy meal prep pasta for kids with budget friendly ingredients. Try this weekly lunch solution today.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Meal Prep Recipes
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb pasta (penne or rotini)
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup bell peppers, diced
  • 1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, cubed
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions, usually eight to ten minutes. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside to cool completely, about ten minutes.
  2. While the pasta cooks, prepare all your vegetables by halving the cherry tomatoes, dicing the cucumber and bell peppers, and thinly slicing the red onion. This prep work ensures everything combines smoothly when you assemble the summer meal prep pasta salad family favorite. Keep the vegetables in separate bowls for now.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Let this dressing sit for five minutes to allow the flavors to meld before using it. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
  4. Combine the cooled pasta with all prepared vegetables in a large mixing bowl. Add the cubed cooked chicken breast and mozzarella cheese, stirring gently to distribute everything evenly throughout. The pasta should feel loose and well-coated.
  5. Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture and toss thoroughly to coat every piece. Fold in the fresh basil gently at the very end to preserve its bright color and delicate texture. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.