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Pasta Salad Jars

Delight your taste buds with vibrant Pasta Salad Jars, featuring layers of al dente pasta, fresh veggies, and creamy feta, perfect for family gatherings or easy meal prep.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Meal Prep
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 8 ounces pasta (e.g., rotini or penne) Use your preferred type of pasta.
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, diced
Dressing and Garnish
  • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled Can be substituted for a dairy-free option.
  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing (halal-friendly)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh herbs (e.g., basil or parsley) for garnish

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Start by boiling a pot of salted water. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside.
Preparing the Ingredients
  1. While the pasta is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, black olives, and red onion.
  2. Crumble the feta cheese and set aside.
Layering the Jars
  1. Take clean mason jars or containers and begin layering. Start with a layer of cooked pasta on the bottom.
  2. Follow with diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, black olives, red onion, and finally, crumbled feta cheese.
Dressing and Garnish
  1. Drizzle a generous amount of Italian dressing over the layered ingredients.
  2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Garnish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley on top.
Storage
  1. Close the jars tightly and refrigerate them if you're preparing in advance. They can last several days in the fridge.

Notes

Substitutions include using whole grain or gluten-free pasta and omitting feta for a dairy-free version. For meal prep, keep the jars sealed and ready in the fridge for easy grab-and-go meals.