Description
Looking for a quick lunch or dinner idea that’s both nutritious and delicious? This Mediterranean Cottage Cheese Pasta Salad is your answer. Packed with crunchy cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp bell peppers, and creamy cottage cheese, it’s a protein-rich, veggie-loaded dish perfect for warm days. Ideal as an easy dinner, healthy lunch, meal prep option, or light summer food idea.
Ingredients
3 cups cooked bowtie pasta
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 medium cucumber, sliced into half moons
1 cup fresh spinach leaves, chopped
1/2 yellow bell pepper, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bowtie pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
2. Let the pasta cool completely before assembling the salad.
3. Slice the cucumbers, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the bell peppers, and chop the spinach.
4. In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta with cottage cheese, olive oil, and lemon juice.
5. Add the vegetables and toss gently until evenly coated.
6. Season with oregano, salt, and black pepper to taste.
7. Fold in feta cheese and fresh herbs if using.
8. Chill for 15–30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
Let the pasta cool completely to prevent the cottage cheese from becoming watery.
Drain excess liquid from cottage cheese if needed for a thicker texture.
For extra flavor, add feta cheese and fresh dill before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Mediterranean pasta salad, cottage cheese pasta, healthy pasta salad, easy dinner recipe, meal prep salad