Creamy Hot Honey Basil Pasta Salad (Healthy + High-Protein!)

Swapped the mayo for cottage cheese in this basil sauce to make sure we’re getting enough protein in!

Creamy Hot Honey Basil Pasta Salad (Healthy + High-Protein!) FAQs

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, you can omit the chicken and add more veggies or chickpeas for a vegetarian version.

How long does this pasta salad last in the fridge?

It can last up to 3-4 days in the fridge, and the flavors actually improve over time.

Can I use regular pasta instead of high-protein pasta?

Yes, regular pasta works fine, but using high-protein pasta makes the dish more nutritious.

What can I use instead of hot honey?

You can mix honey with a small amount of chili flakes or hot sauce as a substitute for hot honey.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Creamy Hot Honey Basil Pasta Salad (Healthy + High-Protein!)

Swapped the mayo for cottage cheese in this basil sauce to make sure we’re getting enough protein in!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Lunch

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb high-protein pasta (like Banza or Barilla Protein+)
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
• 2 cups cucumber diced
• 1 cup red bell pepper diced
• 1/2 cup red onion diced
• 1 cup crumbled feta
• 1 cup grilled chicken cubed
• 2 cups fresh basil
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 clove garlic
• 2 tbsp grated parm (optional)
• 2 tsp hot honey (plus more for drizzling)
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Water or milk to thin if needed

Method

 

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Rinse with cold water and let it cool.

1. Blend all sauce ingredients until smooth. Thin with water or milk if needed.

1. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, chopped veggies, feta, and chicken.

1. Pour over the sauce and toss to coat. Finish with a drizzle of hot honey, some fresh parm, and a squeeze of lemon.

Notes

• This dish gets better as it sits in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep.
• Use high-protein pasta to make the dish more filling and nutritious.
• Adjust the amount of hot honey based on your spice preference.
• For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add more veggies or chickpeas.