March 30, 2012. Samuel Valero
I don’t know about you, but I love pasta. Any type of pasta really.
But when it’s 110 degrees outside the last thing I feel like is sitting down to a big plate of spaghetti or lasagna. Nope, when its hot outside what I’m looking forward to is pasta salad. And, since I like to spend a lot of time outdoors with my family, I especially love that it is the perfect make ahead meal! I can prepare it early in the morning and its ready to go for a quick and easy lunch!
When I first started eating clean, I immediately thought that pasta was going to have to go. After all, the only pasta I had ever had was white pasta. Then I learned that pasta could be part of a clean eating lifestyle, as long as it was the right kind of pasta. Whole wheat, quinoa pasta, corn pasta, rice pasta and kamut pasta are just a few of the types that you can enjoy. Here is a great easy pasta reciep that you are sure to enjoy
Clean Eating Pasta Salad
8 ounces quinoa pasta
3 cups rinsed and drained black beans
3 plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 jalapeno, diced
1 large red onion, diced
1 mango peeled, pitted and diced
1 avocado, pitted and diced
Dressing
3 – 4 tablespoons lime juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
1/2 cup cilantro, washed and chopped
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse under cold water and drain.
In a large bowl combine black beans, tomato, jalapeno, onion, mango and avocado. In a blender or food processor, combine lime juice, garlic, avocado, cilantro, sea salt and pepper. Add pasta to vegetable mixture and stir to combine. Toss with dressing and serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator.
If you enjoyed this recipe, click here to find more clean eating recipes
Updated March 30, 2012. Published July 17, 2011. Samuel Valero
