This fun Pizza Pasta Salad is a perfect lunch box recipe. Add some fresh fruit and veggies, and your lunch packing just got a whole lot easier!
Do you believe the kids are already starting school again? This summer has gone by really fast if you ask me. Now it’s time for packing lunches again, which doesn’t top my list of favorite things about the school routine. I feel like every day I’m reinventing the wheel to come up with unique, healthy foods to pack that they will actually eat. My boys get tired of sandwiches all the time, so I’m always looking for something different but still easy. This Pizza Pasta Salad definitely fits the bill!
With this easy pasta salad recipe, your lunch packing is about to get a whole lot easier! Of course, making pasta salad does take a bit more effort than throwing together a sandwich, but you can make a big batch on Sunday and use it for a few days. Add a piece of fruit, and your kids will have a fun lunch that’s good for them too!
I also love this recipe for a side dish when we’re grilling out or for potlucks. It’s nice because it doesn’t have a heavy mayonnaise base like a lot of pasta salads do, so it’s more popular with kids and doesn’t get yucky if it’s left out for a little while. It’s easy to change up the ingredients too. I made this batch pretty plain so my picky eaters would like it, but you could add diced bell peppers, grape tomatoes, marinated mushrooms or artichoke hearts. The only limit is your imagination! Throw in favorite toppings you like on your pizza, and you’ll surely love them in pizza pasta salad too :) Have fun!
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| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Servings |
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- 14 oz. box whole wheat rotini
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- 3 tbsp. white balsamic or white wine vinegar you can leave this out if your kids don't like the tangy flavor
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 5 oz. uncured pepperoni or salami cut into thin strips
- 6 oz. can sliced black olives drained
- 8 oz. mozzarella or provolone cheese diced into 1/2" cubes
- 8 oz. grape tomatoes halved (optional)
Ingredients
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- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Meanwhile, in a large container with a lid, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir in pepperoni, olives, cheese, and tomatoes (if using). Gently stir in pasta to evenly coat. Store in your refrigerator up to five days.
Victoria Shreve says
It’s a fact of life busy school kids need healthy and nutritious packed lunches. Kids love variety and special treats in their lunchboxes. So we have included lots of healthy lunch box options, a great list of sandwich fillings and some yummy and healthy alternatives to the humble sandwich.