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Close-up of protein-packed rotini pasta salad with salami, olives, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and a large swirl of whipped feta on top, garnished with herbs.
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Ultimate Protein-Packed Pasta Salad with Creamy Whipped Feta

This Ultimate Protein-Packed Pasta Salad with Creamy Whipped Feta is loaded with bold Mediterranean flavors, high-protein rotini pasta, and deli-style chopped ingredients like salami, olives, and cherry tomatoes. Topped with a giant swirl of whipped feta, this creamy, satisfying salad is perfect for meal prep, parties, or a high protein cold lunch. It’s one of the best high protein pasta salad recipes you’ll make — colorful, flavorful, and totally crave-worthy.
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Salad
Prep Time 20 minutes
Servings 10

Ingredients

  • 1 Box Carbe Diem Pasta (Rotini) Link in Post
  • 1 Pint Cherry Tomatoes, Halved
  • 1 English Cucumber, Chopped
  • 1 Bell Pepper, Diced
  • 1 Small Red Onion, Thinly Sliced or Diced
  • 1 Cup Kalamata Olives, Halved
  • 1 Cup Green Olives, Halved (Optional)
  • 2 Cups Hard Salami, Sliced or Diced
  • 1.5 Cups Crumbled Fat Free Feta Cheese
  • 1/4 Cup Fresh Parsley, Chopped
  • 2 Tbl Olive Oil

Whipped Feta Dressing

  • 12 Ounces Fat Free Feta Cheese
  • 1 Cup Plain Fat Free Greek Yogurt
  • 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
  • 2 Tbl Lemon Juice
  • 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
  • Salt/Pepper

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside to cool completely. Chop all veggies and mix-ins: Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, thinly slice the red onion, and halve both kinds of olives.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini with all the chopped veggies, salami, and olive oil. Season with cracked black pepper and toss to combine. Add the crumbled feta and chopped parsley. Gently toss again.
  • In a separate bowl or food processor, make the whipped feta: Blend feta, Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until ultra-smooth and fluffy.
  • Transfer the pasta salad to a huge serving bowl. Generously top with a large swirl of the whipped feta in the center. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil, extra parsley, and cracked black pepper over the top. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days for meal prep.