This blog post is sponsored by Pompeian Olive Oil. All opinions are my own.

Here are three 5-minute pasta salads using Pompeian Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil!

What we need right now are easy meals for this “Back to Routine” season, whatever that might look like for you. Am I right! You might like to save recipe cards, have a favorite cookbook or use a meal planner. But it’s always good to add some new recipes to the routine. Here are 3 of my top tips for creating grab & go recipes like keto pasta salad:

Plan ahead – this one seems obvious, but it MATTERS! Plan what you want to eat ahead of time so you’re prepared and stocked up with healthy foods at home.
Try some meal prepping. Prep some proteins and cut up some veggies for the next 2-3 days, this way your food stays fresh – but it’s easy to create meals quickly.
Create your meals as close to when you’re going to eat as possible – again to preserve freshness but also ensures you’re adding flavor and versatility to your routine. No one truly wants to eat bland chicken and rice every, single day.

I’m so excited to partner with Pompeian today because I love that they’re dedicated to helping us eat and live well by bringing nutrient-rich, high-quality olive oils to kitchens everywhere. Their farmer-crafted Robust EVOO has a difference you can really taste and it’s perfect for your salads and marinades.

Nutrition Facts: Did you know extra virgin olive oil is brimming with monounsaturated fats and protective antioxidants called polyphenols? Research shows that diets rich in extra virgin olive oil are associated with less abdominal (tummy) fat, and can even help to improve your mood and fight depression.

Three Low Carb Pasta Salad Recipes

Low carb doesn’t mean no pasta allowed. I like to eat pasta in 1/2 cup servings, which is how I’ve made each of the salads below. These are not keto recipes, but think of them as transitional. As you start to reduce your overall net carbs, you still want to feel full and satisfied. Whether you’re looking to go keto, low carb or just eat something new, I can’t wait for you to try these recipes!

If you’re gluten free, you can use any gluten free pastas in these recipes.

Recipe 1: Antipasto pasta salad

½ cup cooked pasta
1 oz cubed salami
1 oz mozz cubes
1/2 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup cucumber, diced
¼ red onion, diced
Dashes of: Salt, red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp Pompeian EVOO
2 tsp red wine vinegar

Directions:

Make sure pasta has chilled before creating this salad.
In a large bowl, combine pasta with vegetables, cheese, and pepperoni.
Add in Pompeian EVOO, vinegar, and seasonings.
Stir to coat.
If possible, let sit in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes for the flavors to come together.

Recipe 2: Avocado BLT Pasta Salad

1 Tbsp Pompeian EVOO
3 strips bacon, crumbled
½ avocado, cubed
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups Arugula
Dash of salt

Directions:

Make sure pasta has chilled before creating this salad.
In a large bowl, combine pasta with arugula, tomatoes, bacon, and avocado.
Add in Pompeian EVOO and salt.
Stir to coat.
If possible, let sit in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes for the flavors to come together.

Recipe 3: Pasta Cobb Salad

1 Tbsp Pompeian EVOO
2 tsp red wine vinegar
2 hard boiled eggs, quartered
1/4 Avocado, cubed
2 strips bacon, crumbled
½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups arugula
¼ red onion, diced
Dash of salt

Directions:

Make sure pasta has chilled before creating this salad.
In a large bowl, combine pasta with egg, veggies, bacon, and avocado.
Add in Pompeian EVOO, red wine vinegar, and salt.
Stir to coat.
If possible, let sit in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes for the flavors to come together.

Looking for more ideas? Check me out on social media here.