Zesty Pasta Salad School Lunch Box

Italian Pasta Salad for Lunchboxes

This bistro-style pasta salad is full of bold, briny flavor and perfect for packing in school lunch boxes! 🍝✨ Pair it with fresh fruit and pretzels for a fun and balanced midday meal.

🕒 Prep Time: 15 min

🕒 Cook Time: 10 min
🕒 Total Time: 25 min

🥗 Ingredients

For the Dressing:

• ▢ ¼ cup finely diced onion
• ▢ 1 tsp kosher salt
• ▢ 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
• ▢ 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ▢ 1 tbsp honey
• ▢ ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

For the Salad:

• ▢ Kosher salt for pasta water
• ▢ 1 lb pasta (rotini or ditalini work great)
• ▢ 4–6 scallions, thinly sliced (1½ cups)
• ▢ 2 red bell peppers, diced (1½ cups)
• ▢ ½ cup sliced kalamata olives
• ▢ ½ cup sliced pepperoncini
• ▢ 2–3 oz soppressata or salami, thinly sliced
• ▢ 8 oz cubed mozzarella or provolone
• ▢ Freshly cracked pepper, to taste
• ▢ Flaky sea salt, to finish

Bento Sides:

• ▢ Handful of blueberries
• ▢ Orange wedges
• ▢ Small handful of mini pretzels

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Dressing:
   In a large bowl, mix diced onion, kosher salt, red wine vinegar, and lemon juice. Let sit for 5 minutes to mellow the onion. Whisk in honey and olive oil until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
2. Boil the Pasta:
   Bring a pot of water to boil. Add 2 tablespoons of kosher salt. Cook pasta until al dente, according to the package. Rinse under cold water and drain well. 🍝
3. Assemble the Salad:
   Toss the pasta with the dressing. Add scallions, red bell peppers, olives, pepperoncini, soppressata, mozzarella, and black pepper. Mix gently to combine. Adjust seasoning with flaky sea salt and more lemon or vinegar if desired.
4. Pack the Lunch Box:
   Scoop pasta salad into one compartment. Add blueberries, orange slices, and pretzels into separate compartments. Keep chilled until ready to eat. 🍊🫐🥨

✅ Pro Tips

• Make-Ahead Friendly: This pasta salad tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.
• Vegetarian Swap: Skip the soppressata and double the olives for a bold vegetarian version.
• Kid Hack: Use mild mozzarella cubes and mini pasta shapes for smaller bites.

📊 Nutrition Info

Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.