Quick & Easy Summer Salads to Beat the Heat

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5-Ingredient pesto pasta salad

Short on time? Turn to this super easy 15-minute pesto pasta salad. Made with whole-wheat pasta, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers and peppery arugula, it's also a much lighter alternative to creamy, high-calorie pasta salads that are very popular during the summer season.

Ingredients for 4 servings

• 1 lb whole wheat penne pasta
• 1 12-oz. (340 g) jar of roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
• 8 oz. (250 g) fresh mozzarella, diced
• 3 cups (75 g) fresh arugula
• 1 6-oz. (190 g) jar of green pesto

Instructions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set the pasta aside to cool.
2. In a large bowl, add the pasta with the remaining ingredients. Toss well until everything is combined. Divide the salad among 4 plates or bowls. Serve immediately.

Hungry for more? Try these easy pasta and potato salads for summer dinners.