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

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

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Carly's Cookbook (@carlyscookbook)
AmericanLunchDinnerSideMain CourseContains EggsNon-Vegetarian

Swapped the mayo for cottage cheese in this basil sauce to make sure we’re getting enough protein in! It’s perfect for meal prep, lunch, or a side dish that feels way too indulgent to be this healthy. Bonus: it actually gets better as it sits in the fridge! I’ll have this on repeat all summer - let me know if you try it.

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Prep Time
20min
Cook Time
10min
Total Time
30min

Ingredients

6 Servings
(1 serving = 1 bowl)

For the salad

  • high-protein pasta (like Banza or Barilla Protein+)
    high-protein pasta (like Banza or Barilla Protein+)
    1lb
  • cherry tomatoes, halved
    cherry tomatoes, halved
    2cups
  • cucumber, diced
    cucumber, diced
    2cups
  • red bell pepper, diced
    red bell pepper, diced
    1cup
  • red onion, diced
    red onion, diced
    1/2cup
  • crumbled feta
    crumbled feta
    1cup
  • grilled chicken, cubed
    grilled chicken, cubed
    1cup

For the creamy hot honey basil sauce

  • fresh basil
    fresh basil
    2cups
  • cottage cheese
    cottage cheese
    1cup
  • olive oil
    olive oil
    1/4cup
  • lemon juice
    lemon juice
    2tbsp
  • garlic
    garlic
    2clove
  • grated parm (optional)
    grated parm (optional)
    2tbsp
  • hot honey (plus more for drizzling)
    hot honey (plus more for drizzling)
    2tsp
  • Salt & pepper to taste
    Salt & pepper to taste
  • Water or milk to thin, if needed
    Water or milk to thin, if needed

Want to keep this recipe for later? We can email it to you!

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

270.0kcal (13.5%)

Protein

20.0g (40%)

Carbs

23.3g (8.48%)

Sugars

4.2g (8.34%)

Healthy Fat

8.4g

Unhealthy Fat

3.3g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

Prep Time
20min
Cook Time
10min
Total Time
30min

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

  1. Step 1

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

  2. Step 2

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

  3. Step 3

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

    Step 1.1: In a large bowl, combine the pasta, chopped veggies, feta, and chicken
  4. Step 4

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

    Step 1.1: Pour over the sauce and toss to coat

Want to keep this recipe for later? We can email it to you!

Nutrition (per serving)

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

270.0kcal (13.5%)

Protein

20.0g (40%)

Carbs

23.3g (8.48%)

Sugars

4.2g (8.34%)

Healthy Fat

8.4g

Unhealthy Fat

3.3g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

Tips & Tricks

  1. This dish gets better as it sits in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep.

  2. Use high-protein pasta to make the dish more filling and nutritious.

  3. Adjust the amount of hot honey based on your spice preference.

  4. For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add more veggies or chickpeas.

FAQS

  1. Can I make this dish vegetarian?

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

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

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Carly's Cookbook

(@carlyscookbook)

I’ve got your dinner plans! 🍋healthy(ish), simple recipes for every home cook

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