Name: Healthy Pasta Salad
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 2 Servings
Cuisine: Italian

Jule’s Menu Verified

January 27, 2026

This vibrant pasta salad combines nutty whole-wheat pasta, creamy mozzarella, peppery arugula, and sweet, salty sun-dried tomatoes, all tossed in a light, homemade red pesto. Quick to prepare and full of Mediterranean flavors, it’s perfect as a wholesome lunch, a side dish for dinner, or a picnic favorite. Fresh, colorful, and lower in calories, this salad proves that healthy can be delicious.

From the Cook

1/7

Healthy Pasta Salad

Jule’s Menu Verified

Ingredients

WarningMilk and 5 other allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F). Wash the tomatoes, halve them, and place them cut-side up in an ovenproof dish. Cut off the top of the garlic bulb, drizzle it with oil, and rub it in with your hands. Wrap the garlic bulb in aluminum foil and place it in the oven along with the tomatoes.

Remove the tomatoes from the oven after 20 minutes and let them cool, roast the garlic for another 20 minutes.

Peel the skins off the cooled tomatoes and place the pulp in a food processor or blender. Squeeze three to four garlic cloves from the bulb and add them. Chop or grate the Parmesan cheese, add it along with the remaining ingredients, and blend until smooth.

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, drain, and then cool under cold water.

Thoroughly wash the arugula, spin it dry, and place it in a large bowl. Wash the tomatoes, drain the mozzarella balls, halve both, and add them to the arugula. Finely chop the sun-dried tomatoes and add them as well.

Thoroughly mix the salad, pasta, and pesto. Garnish with a few fresh basil leaves and serve.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Pasta Al Dente Magic 🍝
Cook whole-wheat pasta 1-2 minutes less than package instructions to maintain a perfect al dente texture that won't become mushy in the salad.
Herb Infusion Technique 🌿
Tear fresh basil leaves just before adding to the salad to release their essential oils and maximize flavor intensity.
Mozzarella Moisture Management 🧀
Pat mozzarella balls dry with paper towels to prevent excess water from diluting the dressing and making the salad watery.
Sun-Dried Tomato Hack 🍅
Briefly soak dried tomatoes in warm olive oil for 10 minutes before chopping to rehydrate and intensify their rich, concentrated flavor.
Arugula Freshness Preservation 🥗
Add arugula just before serving to maintain its crisp texture and prevent wilting from the dressing and residual pasta heat.

Intelligent Tags

About the Cook

Jule’s Menu

Hi, I’m Julia, and I’m the recipe developer, photographer, and author behind Jules’ Menu. I’ve spent the last eight years perfecting healthy everyday recipes so they strike the perfect balance between healthy and nourishing, simple and practical, and gourmet-level delicious.