Protein Packed Pasta Salad

How are you on this beautiful Monday night?!!

I've been sporting a seriously sore throat the past couple of days. I think the warm weather paired with the freezing cold air conditioning temps of my office is wreaking havoc on my bod. All I can say is thank goodness for green smoothies ~ they feel like heaven in my throat ;-)

Other than my throat, I'm feeling pretty excited. It's a short work week here in Canada because we're all off on Friday to celebrate Canada Day! With Canada Day (& Independence Day for all you Americans) comes some of my favourite things: outdoor get togethers with friends, bonfires, a few mouthwatering bevies and lots of delicious food!! Picnic and barbecue season has officially begun my friends ~ woot woot!!!

Derek & I are having my grandparents over for brunch on Friday and then we're heading to our friend, Jeff's, to chill around the pool and have a potluck barbecue with all of our buds on Saturday. Being the token vegetarian in the group, I have been put in charge of "vegetables".   I'm not sure if that means everyone else is bringing meat, but being the sole vegetarian of the group, I tend to get the same responsibility at every get together! As always, I'm up for the challenge and I'm planning to bring some veggie kabobs, the best bruschetta known to man (recipe coming) and a protein packed pasta salad.

I like to add some beans to my pasta salad to add a healthy dose of fiber and protein. This salad is super easy to whip together and can be customized to use your fave beans and veggies. This is the type of recipe I like to make when I have some veggies that need to get used up at the end of the week because I HATE letting any produce go bad!

Protein Packed Pasta Salad
Makes a large salad to satisfy a crowd

This is a great salad for a family dinner or potluck with friends. It also keeps well in the fridge for a couple of days and is a great salad to take to work for lunch!

3 1/2 c. small shell pasta (I used brown rice pasta)
3 c. chopped veggies (I used green beans, tomatoes, yellow pepper, zucchini, carrots and baby spinach)
14 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 c. Amazing Dressing

Cook your pasta according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.

Combine the pasta, veggies and kidney beans in a large mixing bowl.

Add your dressing and mix well to coat.

Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least one hour before serving.

Enjoy!

I don't know about you, but I am loving how easy my recipes have been lately?! I haven't been intentionally trying to keep my recipes so simple, but I absolutely love making a delicious dinner while still being able to get outside and enjoy some of this beautiful summer weather. Quick and easy seem to be my ongoing themes!

What is your favourite dish to take to a potluck?

Have a great evening ~ I hope the sun is still shining in your neck of the woods :-)

Andrea