Description

This Healthy Taco Pasta Salad is a delightful fusion of flavors, featuring ground turkey, hearty lentils, and vibrant veggies. Perfect for a quick, nutritious meal or a satisfying salad prep for the week ahead, it’s both wholesome and delicious, making it an ideal choice for health-conscious food lovers.

Ingredients

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2.5 cups fusili (uncooked)
1 lb ground turkey (or ground meat of choice)
1.5 tbsp olive oil
1 package low sodium taco seasoning
1 can (540ml) lentils (rinsed and drained)
1 cup corn kernels (canned or frozen and defrosted)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
1 can (540ml) black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 pint cherry tomatoes (sliced)
1 medium red bell pepper (diced)
3 green onions (sliced (both the whites and greens))
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% works best!)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 limes (just the juice)
1.5 tbsp low sugar BBQ sauce
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

In a medium-high heat pan, add olive oil. Once hot, add ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, stirring frequently. Season with taco seasoning and mix in lentils. Set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked fusili pasta with the cooled ground meat and lentil mixture, then add all additional toppings.
For the dressing, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, BBQ sauce, and spices until creamy and smooth.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together to combine.

Notes

You can use homemade taco seasoning for more flavor.
Feel free to swap out ground turkey for your preferred meat or a plant-based alternative.
This salad is great for meal prep; it stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 49g
Fiber: 10g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 80mg