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Fresh Mason Jar Pasta Salad

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A quick, fresh, and healthy pasta salad layered in mason jars, perfect for meal prep, office lunches, or on-the-go meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1½ cups dry rotini pasta (about 170g)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • ½ cup shredded carrots
  • ½ cup black olives, sliced (optional)
  • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1½ cups (170g) rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and rinse immediately under cold water to stop cooking. Drain well and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Add 1 teaspoon honey if desired. Whisk until well combined and set aside.
  3. While pasta cooks, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1 medium cucumber, shred ½ cup carrots, slice ½ cup black olives, thinly slice ¼ cup red onion, and tear ¼ cup fresh basil leaves. Keep everything ready for assembly.
  4. Start with 2 tablespoons of dressing at the bottom of each 16 oz mason jar. Add about ½ cup cooked pasta, then layer in veggies—cherry tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, olives, onion, basil—and sprinkle 2 tablespoons crumbled feta on top.
  5. Screw on lids tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. The salad keeps well for up to 3 days. When ready to eat, shake the jar to distribute the dressing or dump contents into a bowl and toss.
  6. Enjoy the salad cold or bring to room temperature for a few minutes if preferred.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente and rinse with cold water to prevent mushiness. Layer dressing first to keep veggies fresh and crisp. Seal jars tightly to avoid leaks. Add a splash of olive oil or vinegar before eating if pasta absorbs too much dressing. Can be customized with proteins or different dressings.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, mason jar salad, healthy meal prep, quick lunch, vegetarian, easy recipe

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/fresh-mason-jar-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-healthy-meal-prep-ideas/