From my house Trader Joe’s isn’t a convenient trip to the grocery store, but it’s well worth the dollars in gas to buy their Harvest Grain Pasta. It’s a fun combination of Israeli style couscous, orzo, baby garbanzo beans and red quinoa.
Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend
Don’t think this is another recipe for a company that sent me products. Trader Joe’s didn’t send me their pasta for this easy pasta salad recipe, I discovered this delightful combination of grains all by myself. Every time I shop at that store I find something new to try.
Trader Joe’s Pasta Salad Vegetables
To bolster my pasta recipe with colorful nutrition, I added a bowl full of finely chopped red onion, zucchini and tomatoes, then tossed it with a simple dressing.
Trader Joes Pasta Salad
Healthy cooking tip . . .
If you’d like to shave a few calories from this dish, leave the pepitas and Parmesan in bowls on the side and let folks help themselves. This salad has enough crunch and flavor to be satisfying served without them.
Happy, healthy cooking!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Trader Joe's Harvest Grain Blend or orzo, cooked according to package directions,
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped into small pieces
- 2 cups tomato, chopped in small pieces
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup basil, sliced into small ribbons
- ¼ cup pepitas, toasted
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions and allow to cool.
- Combine zucchini, tomatoes and red onion.
- Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and basil in a bowl and then toss with pasta.
- Combine pasta and vegetables, then add pepitas and Parmesan cheese.
- Chill for 30 minutes and serve.
Nutrition Per Serving:
Calories: 189, Old Weight Watchers Points 3
Total Fat: 9.87g
Cholesterol: 18mg
Sodium: 51mg
Total Carbs: 19.03g
Dietary Fiber: 1.87g
Sugars: 3.01g
Protein: 5.51g
Please see disclaimer for further details. Nutrition information is compiled with MacGourmet. If you find discrepancies, please let me know. It’s important to me that I provide you with accurate information.
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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great looking pasta salad!
Steph@stephsbitebybite recently posted…Things I’m Loving
Oh I love that mix from TJ’s!
Simply Life recently posted…Sesame Soba Noodle Stir-Fry
I love Trader Joe’s, and luckily it’s very close by. I haven’t tried the Harvest Grain blend, but it’s going on my list. Your salad sounds great!
Andrea@WellnessNotes recently posted…CSA Box and Sweet Box
Delicious! It’s bright, crunchy and colorful – what’s not to love! There isn’t a Trader Joe’s where I live….darn it!
Ann recently posted…Chicken Salad – with a Healthy Twist
That’s too bad. It’s a terrific store to find wholesome foods.
A colorful healthy winner you have here!
claudia lamascolo recently posted…Herb Potatoes with Carrots and Health Benefits
A colorful healthy winner you have here!
claudia lamascolo recently posted…Herb Potatoes with Carrots and Health Benefits
What a pretty and flavor packed salad. Then we get the benefit of it being healthy. Thank you for always sharing yummy recipes.
Sandra recently posted…Buttermilk Pound Cake
I am a big fan of Trader Joe’s too, their unique grains, cereals and sauces-love them. You have taken this Harvest Grain Pasta to a whole new level with the brilliant veggies…. awesome:)
Malli recently posted…#126 A Bat Mitzvah, Shallots and Bittergourd Theeyal
I love my veggies, but chopped chicken would be great in this dish too.
Super colorful and so chock full of those good whole grains!
Belinda @zomppa recently posted…Enter the Parlour: TidBit of the Day
Hi Kristi,
Amazing Colors! I could make an entire meal of this beautiful salad. I am a die hard grain and pasta fan. Add some cheese and I’m in foodie heaven!
redkathy recently posted…Chocolate Pudding Pie – Newtons Fruit Thin Crumb Pie Crust
Trader Joe’s isn’t an especially convenient store to get to from my house either, but I am always finding things that make it worth the journey! This pasta dish is a definite winner
Baking Serendipity recently posted…Buttermilk Avocado Ranch Dressing
That is an interesting pasta blend. Unfortunately I have to drive quite a bit to get to the nearest Trader Joe’s. I like how you combine this salad with all those veges making it so colorful and appetizing.
You could always use orzo and chickpeas. I bet that would be good too.
Kristi, this looks like a bowl of pearls. And by the time you’d finished working your magic, I can see ruby red tomatoes and emerald green basil too. This looks superb!
Hester Casey – Alchemy recently posted…Strawberry and Rose Petal Ice Cream – practically Italian!
Colorado has no Trader Joe’s. POUT! But our Ikea is finally opening in July. yay
Lea Ann recently posted…Grilled Asparagus and Steak Salad with Hoisin Vinaigrette
That’s too bad – I know you’d love that store!
This looks like comfort food. I shop in Trader Joes also. There are certain items, I can get there and no where else, at least for a decent price.
C recently posted…Italian Grilled Cheese-n-Tomato – Rachel Ray
I know that some people think Trader Joe’s is expensive, but I can get all kinds of organic produce and products far cheaper than other stores.
The closest Trader Joes is an hour away but I think we must take a drive and check it out. Everyone seems to love it.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted…A Gardener’s Update
It’s worth it just for the trip. Enjoy your 4th of July!
I’ve bought that Harvest Grain Blend before, but now you’ve given yet another reason to purchase more…how delicious this sounds!
Liz recently posted…Marshmallow Ice Cream~
I’m not a big pasta salad fan, but when the pasta is in a blend like this one, I really like it.
I love these grains as well!! They make a great “bed” for fish and seafood dishes! Your salad looks delicious!
Wow! This recipe looks fantastic I am making this soon!
KarenLynn@Lil’SuburbanHomestead recently posted…Happy Birthday To Lil’ Suburban Homestead
This looks awesome. I just ate the middle eat blend and it was great. Do you know where I can find the sweet basil dressing they have in there salad?
Hi Cathey – I’m not sure what you’re looking for. There is a basil salad dressing in this recipe. I haven’t seen one at Trader Joe’s.
This is actually very good warm. I sauteed the onion, tomatoes & some of the mini sweet peppers TJ carries ( didn’t have zukes) & stirred it & the olive oil/vinegar dressing into the Harvest Grain Blend. I cooked some diced chicken breasts with “Bone Sucking” mustard & a little worcestershire sauce. Put the chicken over the warm salad & topped it off with toasted pine nuts & chopped parsley. Great meal.
I think you need to start your own blog – this sounds amazing! I love meeting other Trader Joe’s fans. I have so much fun shopping there. I find all kinds of fun foods to try. H