Turkey Tuesdays: Mediterranean Turkey Pasta Salad | Renee's Kitchen Adventures

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Turkey Tuesdays: Mediterranean Turkey Pasta Salad


I can't believe that today is the last Tuesday in September!! Is it just me, or did that go by in the blink of an eye?

I'm wondering if any of you have been joining me in celebrating "turkey" this month?  If you haven't it's not too late to get on the bandwagon, because this recipe is absolutely delicious.  If you have never had greens and pasta together, you are missing out!




The original recipe can be found on Allrecipes.  I made a few changes according to what I had on hand in my fridge.
  • I didn't have any feta, so I replaced it with mozzarella
  • I added a half of a sliced orange bell pepper
  • I used a 1/3 cup bottled Greek Dressing (Matsos Sweet Greek Dressing and Marinade with Olive Oil) instead of making the dressing called for in the recipe
  • I omitted the parsley (didn't have any) 
  • I had the deli cut me off a chunk (about a 1/2# worth) of turkey, and then cut it up smaller when I got home (chicken would be a suitable substitute for turkey as well)


This salad is so good.  I took leftovers to work the next day for lunch, and even when the greens got wilted by the dressing, it was still delicious.  If you aren't a fan of spring lettuce mix, you can substitute arugula or spinach.


 Mediterranean Turkey Pasta Salad


Printable Recipe

Servings - 8   Serving Size - 1/8th of recipe   Points Plus per Serving - 9 Points+
Calories -  355.2,   Total Fat - 11.6g,   Carb. - 47.1g,   Protein - 16.4g,   Fiber - 1.5g

Ingredients:
8 oz. penne pasta, cooked to al dente, according to package directions, and cooled
1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced in half
24 grape tomatoes, cut in half
1 small orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
4 oz. cubed, part-skim mozzarella cheese
3 cups Spring Mix Lettuces

Directions:
  1. In large bowl, combine all the ingredients.  Toss to coat.  Serve immediately.
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These pictures DO NOT do this salad justice.  With the end of the month approaching, and Fall arriving, good daylight is getting less and less available. We were hungry the night I made this salad and I was too lazy to drag out the light box.  I think I need to give it a spot and just leave it up so it's ready for such occasions.  My little point and shoot just does not do well with low lighting.

I used my own dressing because if you make the one in the original recipe...1.  It's way too much dressing for the salad (IMHO) and 2. It turns this "salad" into a calorie bomb!  Almost 800 calories a serving....WHA????????  I know the dressing I used is a local-to-me product, so if you want to replace it with another dressing, or even make your own (just not the one in the original recipe...please a cup and a half of oil for a dressing? )  just know that the nutritional information MAY change. 


Butterball has teamed up with Allrecipes for "Turkey Tuesdays" and several allstars (including myself) have been asked to bring you delicious turkey recipes each Tuesday in the month of September. (Disclaimer:  I was provided with product for this recipe via Allrecipes as part of the Allstars program.  All opinions expressed in this post are mine.)



6 comments:

  1. Looks SO good. Nothing like a tasty pasta salad. nom nom. I hate when it gets dark so early :(

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  2. I almost never eat turkey but on Thanksgiving, and only a small piece then, enough to go with all my stuffing. Bwah! I guess I'm not really that much of a turkey person. I used to use it a lot as a ground beef sub until I realized bison was even better for you, and very lean, so I use that instead. So I guess I'm not on the turkey bandwagon but I do enjoy your turkey food porn every week! haha!

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  3. Yummy Good Rene! It sure feels like Fall around here as the temps have really dipped and it feels wonderful.

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  4. Thanks for the mention, Renee! :) This dish look tasty and I love that you lowered the cals in the dressing.

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  5. This dish is so tasty I'm revisiting it. I know what you mean about dressings. They can be calorie bombs. I love that this combo of #Turkey, #Pasta, #Veggies is a full meal. YUM! Thanks Renee!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for dropping by again, KC! I need to make this dish again soon, it's so good!

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