This Italian Couscous Salad is as quick and easy as a ‘pasta’ salad can come. With a few chops here, some dices there, a good hefty few stirs and a little while in the fridge, this salad is ready to go and full of flavor! It’s pretty loaded with fun bits too such as salami, fresh mozzarella, basil, olives, and plenty of Italian veggies.
I’d like to think that it’s sort of a fun twist on Antipasto. It’s light, it’s pasta based, and it’s served cold. While usually it’s as a side, I’ve enjoyed eating this for lunch with a hard-boiled egg on the side. But it would also be great served as a side at dinner. Say… paired with a pesto marinated grilled chicken breast.
This is good GOOD stuff. And I may have even snuck a few bites out serving bowl… and from the leftovers. Another thing that I love about this salad is that it’s one you can easily make ahead and use for a meal prep through the week. That’s what we’re doing in our house this week with it!
And at right at 6 servings that almost gives you the entire weeks worth of lunches.
I really wanted to add in some fresh basil to this dish but sadly they were all out at the store today. Boo! Either way, I do suggest that you include some fresh basil if you can get your hands on some. The addition of that would make this dish stand out even more.
TheSkinnyFork.com A cold side 'salad' that's loaded up with couscous, chickpeas, mozzarella, salami, and plenty of Italian inspired veggies! Serve cold as a side or a light little lunch. Prep Time: 10 Minutes • Cook Time: 0 Hours
Servings: 6 • Serving Size: About 3/4 Cup • Calories: 373 • Fat: 13 g • Saturated Fat: 4 g • Carb: 48 g • Fiber: 5 g • Protein: 15 g • Sugar: 4 g • Sodium: 476 mg
• 1 1/2 C. Cooked Pearled Couscous
• 1/2 C. Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans, Drained & Rinsed
• 1/2 C. Olives, Halved
• 1/2 C. Diced Hard Salami
• 12 Cherry Tomatoes, Halved
• 1/2 C. Baby Spinach, Chopped
• 1/2 Green Bell Pepper, Diced
• 1/2 C. Fresh 'Pearle' Size Mozzarella
• 1/4 C. Italian Dressing
• Salt & Pepper to Taste Directions:
Combine everything into a large bowl together. Stir to combine.
Cover and place in the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour.
Once done, remove and divide evenly among bowls (or plates) to enjoy!
Step-by-Step Photos:
Nutritional Claims: Balanced • High Fiber • Sugar Conscious • Egg Free • Peanut Free • Tree Nut Free • Soy Free • Fish Free • Shellfish Free • Pork Free • Crustacean Free • Celery Free • Mustard Free • Sesame Free • Lupine Free •Mollusk Free • Alcohol Free • No Sugar Added •Sulphite Free
