Simple Summer Pasta Salad

 
 

It’s June, it’s hot, and you have no idea what you want to eat for dinner.

You want to focus on getting enough protein and fiber at your meals, but cooking sounds simply EXHAUSTING.

Fear not… I’ve got you covered!

The answer: Pasta Salad.

It’s a classic for a reason, and a socially acceptable way to eat pasta cold. Count me in!

But, not just any pasta salad. We need one with fresh veggies, tart dressing, zingy cheese, and no-cook protein. It needs to be filling, but also light enough that you won’t get sick to your stomach if you eat a meal-sized portion of it.

This Simple Summer Pasta Salad is, well, simply perfect.

I threw this together in about 15 minutes, and it was so satisfying. It’s also really nutritious - it’s high in protein and fiber, and has lots of great fertility promoting foods. Due to the tang from feta cheese and tart lemon dressing, it might go over ok if you’re struggling with first trimester nausea, too!

Chickpea pasta gives us carbs, protein, and fiber with no extra cooking. It’s also gluten free for those with Celiac, and helpful for my veg-heads out there to get enough protein at a meat-free meal. Even further, chickpeas are a good source of inositol, a compound that helps improve insulin sensitivity and rates of ovulation for those with PCOS. Talk about a winner! 

I like to think about chickpea pasta meals as a “no thoughts, just vibes” situation. Those nights when you just need to get some food in your body and move on are the nights when chickpea pasta really comes in clutch. If you enjoy it, chickpea pasta can be a great option for those with PCOS or gestational diabetes who really want to focus on pairing up carbs with protein, fat, and fiber.

However, you can 1000% use regular or whole wheat pasta in this meal; in fact, regular semolina pasta is actually higher in protein than you might think. I bet some grilled chicken or salmon would go great to help you get enough protein if you choose regular pasta. Here’s another meal I make often that uses regular pasta.

Feta cheese is a delicious way to add in some fat and calcium to this summery dish! Full fat dairy might help promote ovulation, so that’s what I recommend choosing when selecting a fresh feta cheese. I find that blocks of feta taste a little better than the pre-crumbled varieties, but both can work.

Cucumber is such a refreshing and tasty vegetable. Part of why they’re so refreshing is their water content, which makes them a great way to add hydration! Cucumbers are also a good source of inflammation-fighting antioxidants, and fiber for blood sugar balance.

Tomatoes contain lycopene, which may help support sperm quality! Tomato boy summer anyone?? In addition, they’re a great source of vitamin C for iron absorption from the pasta, and add fiber, too.

Extra virgin olive oil adds mono-unsaturated fats, which are anti-inflammatory, and vitamin E, which may boost sperm and egg quality.

Lemon juice is a great source of vitamin C, which helps with iron absorption, and the tart flavor really helps this pasta salad go over well for those struggling with nausea in the first trimester!

Ok ok, that’s enough blog blabbing. Here’s your recipe :)

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wWN34qn3LzQ

Simple Summer Pasta Salad

Yield: 4
Author: McKenzie Caldwell, MPH, RDN
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 10 MinTotal time: 20 Min
This was soooo easy to make, and it's SO GOOD! Here's the recipe for this fertility & pregnancy friendly pasta salad.

Ingredients

  • 1 box chickpea pasta, cooked and cooled to room temp
  • 1 cucumber, chopped
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1.5 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • salt, pepper, and za'atar seasoning to taste

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Add additional seasoning as desired. Serve alone or with toasted baguette. Enjoy!