People always say that summertime is a good time to lose weight. Since it's hot out, your appetite lessens, and everyone would rather munch on fruit and veggies instead of rich soups and casseroles.
And it makes sense, but somehow summer still ends up being the toughest season for me to maintain my weight. And the reason is that I'm such a sucker for those delicious potluck and barbecue foods. Potato salad, pasta salad, apple pie, lemon bars, cheeseburgers and hotdogs grilled over charcoal, the list goes on. Give me a plate of that goodness, combined with awesome friends and a warm summer night, and life truly doesn't get better. I'm already looking forward to it, I just might have to replace the extra potato salad with a juicy slice of watermelon instead.
This pasta is one of my summer faves. It's so easy to make, keeps for several days and is delicious either cold or room temp, making it a very convenient picnic item. You have most likely had a version of pasta salad similar to this, but I had to post this anyway because it's just so dang good.
Pasta Salad
Ingredients
2 packets Italian Dressing, prepared according to directions, I used the less oil option (using the stuff from the packet vs. the bottle really does make a difference, it's worth the extra step!)
1 lb tricolor pasta
8 oz salami, diced
8 oz provolone or pepperjack cheese, diced (I used provolone for this, but next time I will use pepperjack, I like a good kick)
8 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green pepper
2 cans olives, sliced
Directions
1. Cook pasta according to directions, drain and cool.
2. Combine all ingredients and toss well. Keep chilled, it tastes best after it has a few hours to sit and blend flavors.
When is it hardest for you to eat healthy. Any tips on maintaining during those times?
27 comments:
Excellent for summer lunches!
I don't have much of a problem with weight management, I stay very active even through the winter. It drives my wife crazy, ha ha.
I'm with you! Summer food is too tempting for me to resist and it dosen't seem to matter how many miles I run! What can I say, I love a good pasta salad!
I'm never good at eating healthy, so I'm no help! This salad looks great...I love the big hunks of cheese in there.
I am glad you posted it, it looks like a great salad I would love to make for one of my summer parties!
My kids absolutely love pasta salad. I'll have to give your version a try sometime. I, for one, am one that struggles way more to stay on target weight-wise in the wintertime.
This looks like it would be my favorite too... I love every single ingredient.
I have found food blogging is bad for my hips - I wonder why?
Thank you for posting! I've tried to make a pasta salad before but it's never quite as good as others make it. I'll try this one. I LOVE pasta salad.
Luckily for us, it's summer here from April to November, so I get plenty of time to enjoy bbq food. In July and August, it's so damn hot no one wants to eat.
This pasta salad looks great. I don't restrict myself when it comes to food. There has to be a happy balance. I love fruits and veggies. I have a big sweet tooth too. Eating very small portions helps me. I eat what I want but just not a lot. SIGH
oh i love BBQ food too this salad looks great no real tips portion control :-)
Wow this sounds like the perfect summer salad!
This type of salad is my favorite too! I just made one this week for a bbq from melskitchencafe.com. It was the angel hair pasta salad. You should try it! It was heavenly! Summer is a hard time for me too and then about October to December...so many good holiday treats! Thanks for the recipe...I never thought of using salami in it!
sounds very nice
I definitely love a good pasta salad!
Yum, I love this type of pasta salad, too..I love it with chunks of salami thrown in! (or did yours have salami...sheesh, my brain). Either way...looking forward to picnics and bbq's! =)
ha ha ha...yes, yours did. I had to go back and look. I just got lost in the memory of it, I guess. So anyhoo...NOM.
Summer is hard for me too - because of all those things you mentioned and more! Plus it's too hot to do a lot of exercise... Your pasta salad looks deee-licious! I love everything in it!
I've been craving a fun pasta salad lately. This looks fabulous!
We have been in the middle of moving to a new home the past couple of weeks and I've had a tough time eating right. Thank goodness we're just about settled in. :)
Love pasta salad. Summer is just the perfect time of year for it too. I have a harder time in the winter resisting sweets! Not as busy as I am in the summer.
I'm with you on finding it hard to lose weight in summer (for all your reasons + ice-cream!!)
Love that salad!
I am with you - as soon as summer rolls around, I think of all the ribs, brats, potato salad that goes with the territory!
I actually dice pepperoni in that same pasta salad - it spices it up enough for me! :D
I think weight management is difficult 24/7 and 12 months out of the year. Especially for us foodies who love love love everything.
In the summer, all I want is fruits and salads...but they have a lot of sugar, and it's easy to overdo on them too, so I don't particularly find my weight decreasing in the summer...oh and who can forget ice cream and coleslaw! Summer foods rock. And like this wonderful pasta salad, not all salads are equal! ;-)
I hate mayo-based pasta salads and this seems like a fabulous alternative! Love the antipasto mix-ins!
I find every season brings it's own challenges...in winter it's casseroles and desserts. In summer, it's barbecue and desserts. In fall, it's pies. Ummm...yeah, are you noticing a theme here? :P
man..its always hot here in Florida..so why does my appetite not lessen :(
Love your pasta salad
YUM! I will have to make this sometime this summer. I'm not a fan of pasta salad with weird flavors and funny things in it....so this basic Italian one sounds perfect!
I agree! When it's hot I don't think skimpy swim suit I think ICE CREAM!
Your salad looks delicious. I bet that is great either hot or cold.
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