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Ranch Pasta Salad with Cucumber, Tomato & Cheese

Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword mason jar lunch, pasta salad in a jar, ranch pasta salad, single serving pasta salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 1 serving
A single-serving pasta salad in a mason jar with ranch dressing, cooked protein, crisp vegetables and cheese. Make it ahead for an easy lunch that holds for up to 3 days.

Ingredients

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup prepared Greek-yogurt-based ranch dressing

Salad

  • 1/4 cup diced cooked protein of choice (rotisserie chicken, deli turkey or tofu)
  • 3/4 cup cooked small pasta such as macaroni cavatappi or farfalle
  • 1/4 cup cucumber
  • 1/4 cup diced tomato
  • 1/4 cup diced bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup cubed or crumbled cheese

Directions

  • Prepare: Cook the small pasta following the package directions, drain it, and let it cool. Get one of the already-cooked proteins listed ready, and dice the vegetables and cheese.
  • Assemble: Put the ranch dressing in the jar, then add the protein, cooled pasta, cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, and cheese. Fasten the lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days; shake it, or tip it into a bowl, to coat everything in dressing.
  • Store: Seal and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
  • Serve: Hold the jar upright until you are ready to eat. Empty it into a bowl, toss with the dressing, and serve cold.

Notes

Use your preferred cooked protein and cheese; no particular type is required.
Keep refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below.

Nutrition

Serving: 342g | Calories: 621kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 767mg | Potassium: 413mg | Fiber: 3.2g | Sugar: 6.2g | Vitamin A: 946IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 243mg | Iron: 2.3mg

Nutrition is an estimate per serving from USDA FoodData Central, for the whole recipe (1 serving); diced cooked protein of choice (rotisserie chicken (the first choice counted), cooked small pasta such as macaroni (the first choice counted), diced tomato counted as tomatoes, diced bell pepper counted as green bell pepper, cubed or crumbled cheese (the first choice counted). Brands and portions vary, so use it only as an approximation.