Healthy Salad Recipes | Healthy Family Project

How To Make The Best Vidalia Onion Salad Dressing

Amanda Keefer — Wed, 21 May 2025 00:24:01 +0000

Have you ever made dressing at home? This Vidalia Onion Salad Dressing requires only seven ingredients and is incredibly tasty for a refreshing change from your other favorites!

Making a delicious, homemade salad dressing is easier than you think! This simple Vidalia Onion Salad Dressing is made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. The zesty, tangy flavor is perfect for topping off all of your favorite salads.

Nutrition Tip: Kids don’t love salad? Serve a “dippable” version alongside this dressing. Kids love eating with their hands, and research shows that kids eat more vegetables when they’re served with a flavorful dip they like.

Once you do you will realize that making salad dressing at home can be very easy and versatile! If you keep a few key ingredients on hand, you can whip up simple batches of homemade dressing on the fly any night of the week when you want to have a salad!

Looking for other homemade dressings? Check out our Carrot Basil Salad Dressing!

Key Ingredients to this Vidalia Onion Salad Dressing

Vidalia Onion– This type of variety of onion is flavorful and a little sweet! Onions contain Vitamin C and are a great source of Fiber! They are also known to help reduce inflammation in your body and can help heal infections!

Olive Oil– This cooking oil is a great choice for many recipes because of it’s heart healthy fats! Although still high in calories, olive oil is a great choice to help enhance the flavors of many foods!

Creamy Dijon Mustard– This tangy mustard is loaded with flavor and gives this salad dressing a smooth, creamy texture!

Make sure to check out our 8 Tips for Eating More Salads!

How to make this Vidalia Onion Salad Dressing at Home

Step 1:

Get out your food processor, immersion blender, or blender. Then add the Vidalia onion, vinegar, sugar, mustard, pepper, and salt. Blend until well pureed and smooth.

Step 2:

Slowly add in the olive oil, a little at a time, through the hole in the top of the blender or food processor and continue to blend until all is combined and smooth.

YES! It is that simple to make and enjoy homemade dressing at home! Serve over your favorite salads and store the rest in the refrigerator.

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Vidalia® Onion Salad Dressing

Making a delicious, homemade salad dressing is easier than you think! This simple Vidalia onion dressing is made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. The zesty, tangy flavor is perfect for topping off your favorite salad.

Course Dairy Free, Salads

Keyword dressings, onion, salads

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings

Calories 86kcal

Author Amanda Keefer

Ingredients

1/2 large chopped Vidalia onion chopped
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons creamy Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup olive oil

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Add Vidalia onion, vinegar, sugar, mustard, pepper and salt to blender or food processor. Blend until well pureed.
While running, add oil, a little at a time, through the hole in the top of the blender or food processor until dressing is creamy.

Nutrition

Other Salad Dressing Recipes to Try:

The post How To Make The Best Vidalia Onion Salad Dressing appeared first on Healthy Family Project.

Roasted Sweet Potato Taco Bowls

Amanda Keefer — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Skip the tortilla shell and go straight for all the goodness of roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, tomatoes, corn and more in these easy vegetarian Roasted Sweet Potato taco bowls. Perfect to prep ahead of time or pack in your lunch.

Don’t you just love foods served in a bowl? There’s something so carefree about it. This vegetarian taco bowl is full of good stuff too.

The star of this dish is the roasted sweet potatoes. I could seriously eat sweet potatoes every day. Not to mention sweet potatoes are packed with vitamin A, vitamin C and are rich in anti-oxidants!

The fiber in sweet potatoes also promotes a healthy gut since they contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. This promotes the growth of good gut bacteria and helps keep your gut health in check.

How to Roast Sweet Potatoes

Peel and chop sweet potatoes in to dice-sized pieces. Spread out on baking sheet.
Drizzle with olive oil and seasonings. Use your hands or tongs to toss until well coated.
Bake in 400F oven for 15-20 minutes, until tender.

Build Your Sweet Potato Taco Bowl

Start with the base: The base is a chopped salad kit. Any brand will do, look for something similar to a Southwest or Taco flavor combo for this recipe. Salad kits also give you some fun (optional) toppings like tortilla strips, sunflower seeds and more.

Add your toppings: In this case, we’re talking about those roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, corn, tomatoes and avocado.

Mix it up: Drizzle with the dressing from your salad kit (or your favorite store-bought or homemade dressing), top with any extras and toss. Then dig in!

Taco Bowl Variations

Swap your base for your favorite greens, quinoa or rice.
Make it spicy by adding jalapeños, topping with a spicy salsa or upping the chili powder on the potatoes.
Add protein with grilled chicken, steak, shrimp or your other favorite taco protein.

Similar Recipes to Try

Roasted Sweet Potato Taco Bowls

Skip the tortilla shell and go straight for all the goodness of roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, tomatoes, corn and more in these easy vegetarian taco bowls.

Course Salads

Keyword healthy, salad, sweet potato, taco

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 349kcal

Author Amber Gray

Equipment

Ingredients

2 small sweet potatoes peeled, diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pkg. Southwest chopped salad kit
1 avocado chopped
1 cup low-sodium black beans drained, rinsed
½ cup frozen sweet corn thawed
½ cup chopped tomatoes

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F.
Toss potatoes in oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and salt. Add to baking sheet and bake 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender.
Assemble salad kit with included toppings and dressing. Top with sweet potatoes, avocado, black beans, corn and tomatoes.

Nutrition

The post Roasted Sweet Potato Taco Bowls appeared first on Healthy Family Project.

Grilled Chicken and Grape Salad

Aggie Goodman — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 19:59:55 +0000

This recipe combines grilled chicken, sweet grapes and apples, onions, goat cheese, and walnuts with an easy homemade vinaigrette for a light but filling salad.

During warmer months, it’s time to break out the grill! When grilling up chicken, we always grill up a few extra pieces to have on hand for easy and delicious salads. Picture tender grilled chicken breast with sweet red grapes, crisp apple slices, mild sweet onion, crunchy walnuts, and creamy goat cheese.

Not sure how to pick grapes at the grocery store? Here are some tips for selecting grapes.

Note: Whether you make your chicken ahead, or right before serving salad, bring your chicken to room temperature before adding to the salad.

Nutrition Tip: Grapes are loaded with polyphenols, like resveratrol, the same heart-healthy plant compounds in wine. If you spot grapes in the store with a powdery white coating, that’s okay! It’s a natural protection against moisture loss, which means the grapes are fresh (rinse them off at home).

Easy Grilled Chicken Salad with Nutritious Ingredients

This Grilled Chicken and Grape Salad contains amazing flavors and wholesome ingredients that everyone will love. It’s a fantastic mix of textures and tastes that excite healthy eating. Bring all ingredients together, choose your favorite greens, and add simple homemade berry balsamic vinaigrette. The result… a delightful tangy sweetness that perfectly complements the other ingredients.

Making healthy and tasty meals at home doesn’t have to be complicated, and this salad proves it! You can whip up this entire dish in just 10 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a quick weekend lunch. This recipe generously serves four people, ideal for sharing with the family. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free, so it suits various dietary needs. If goat cheese isn’t everyone’s favorite, feel free to swap it out for feta or blue cheese to create a slightly different, but equally delicious, flavor profile. Give this easy, vibrant, and satisfying salad a try!

Grilled Chicken and Grape Salad

This recipe combines grilled chicken, sweet grapes and apples, onions, goat cheese and walnuts with an easy homemade vinaigrette for a light but filling salad.

Course Salads

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings servings

Calories 394kcal

Author Aggie Goodman

Ingredients

Grilled Chicken and Grape Salad

1 5 oz. bag salad greens
1 pound sliced grilled chicken breast
1 cup sliced red grapes
1 apple thinly sliced
1/4 large sweet onion thinly sliced
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
2 ounces crumbled goat cheese

Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
3/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon strawberry preserves

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Add salad greens to large serving bowl. Top with chicken, grapes, apples, onion, walnuts and cheese.
Prepare vinaigrette by combining balsamic vinegar, oil and strawberry preserves in glass jar or container. Seal and shake until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and shake well again. Drizzle desired amount on salad when serving. Store leftover dressing in refrigerator 3-5 days.

Nutrition

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Healthy Easter Eggs Leftover Recipes

Amanda Keefer — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 17:00:06 +0000

In need of some different recipes to use up some hard-boiled eggs? Try these Healthy Egg Salad Recipes Using Leftover Easter Eggs! These egg salad recipes have some fun spins on the classic and of course, we offer some healthier versions, too!

If your family is like ours, you probably have some in the refrigerator that need to be used. Last week, my kids sat down to dye a dozen hard-boiled eggs. Then, on Easter, we had family over, and another dozen or so eggs were dyed. You know how kids are, they love dying and decorating the eggs but never want to eat them.

So now, my fridge is stocked with over two dozen blue, purple, green and orange eggs, some covered with stickers others with glitter, and no way to use them all up.

Easter Eggs Leftover Recipes Recommendations

Luckily, the week after Easter is National Egg Salad Week. When I think of egg salad, I think back to what my grandma always made – hard-boiled eggs, lots of mayo, some chopped celery and a hefty spoonful of relish – but there are so many different (and healthy!) ways to enjoy egg salad.

Nutrition Tip: Did you know that one hard-boiled egg offers 6g of protein and 23% of your daily intake of Vitamin B12, which helps keep the body’s nerves and blood cells healthy?

Best Easter Eggs Leftover Recipes

Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich

Avocados and Greek yogurt replace mayonnaise traditionally used in egg salad for good fats and a little extra protein.

Check out this recipe

Chopped Cobb Salad

This Chopped Cobb Salad has quickly become a new favorite. The benefit to chopping the ingredients up into bite-sized pieces is that the salad will be easier to handle and to eat, so it’s great for kids of all ages.

Check out this recipe

Eggcellent Egg and Ham Salad

Egg salad doesn’t always need to be served on bread. In this recipe, it helps deliver extra protein on a veggie-rich salad. Make an extra batch of egg salad for an easy snack or wrap filling the next day.

Check out this recipe

Cobb Salad Wraps

Don’t let a historically popular dressing get boring. Turn it into a wrap! These Cobb Salad Wraps are just what you need for lunch.

Avocado Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a classic appetizer staple for family cookouts or holiday get-togethers. They get a fresh, new makeover by adding avocado in this recipe.

Check out this recipe

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More Recipes to Try:

Chicken Salad Pita Sandwich

25 Healthy Easter Recipes

Avocado Deviled Eggs

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Packable Caesar Pasta Salad

Amanda Keefer — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 00:52:26 +0000

Finding new ways to freshen up lunchboxes can be a real challenge. Luckily, this Packable Caesar Pasta Salad recipe is a fresh idea to replace lunchtime sandwich staples.

Nutrition Tip: The American Heart Association recommends eating 3 or more whole-grain foods, like whole-wheat pasta, every day, to reduce your risk of certain chronic diseases.

When it comes to packing lunch, I often find myself in a rut, reaching for the same old sandwiches day after day. But it’s time to break free from the monotony and embrace a new and delicious recipe: Packable Caesar Pasta Salad. Not only is this dish a refreshing change, but it also offers the benefits of whole grains and a medley of colorful veggies.

The best part is it comes together in just minutes. The most time-consuming part of the recipe? Waiting for your pasta to cook! Let’s dive into this easy-to-make recipe that will transform your lunchbox game.

A Look Inside This Packable Caesar Pasta Salad

Simply put, this dish is bursting with flavor AND nutrition. Here’s what’s in it, and why you can feel good serving it to your family

Whole wheat rotini pasta: Provides dietary fiber and essential nutrients, supporting digestive health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Grape tomatoes: Packed with antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and lycopene, which may help protect against certain cancers and promote heart health.
Frozen peas: Excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and vitamins, such as vitamin K and folate, contributing to a healthy immune system and energy production.
Low-sodium cannellini beans: High in protein and fiber, these beans help promote satiety, support digestive health, and contribute to heart health.
Yellow bell pepper: Rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, aiding in immune function, skin health, and digestion.
Garlic: Contains compounds with potential antibacterial and antiviral properties, as well as potential cardiovascular benefits.
Marie’s® Market Reserve Smoked Black Pepper Caesar Dressing: Made with quality ingredients, this dressing adds a unique smoky and peppery flavor to the salad without the need for artificial additives.
Shredded Parmesan cheese: Provides a rich source of calcium and protein while adding a savory and tangy taste to the salad.
Zucchini: Low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, zucchini supports digestion, hydration, and overall health

FAQs For Our Packable Caesar Pasta Salad

1. Can I use regular pasta instead of whole wheat rotini?

Absolutely! While whole wheat pasta adds extra fiber and nutrients, you can substitute it with regular pasta if you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions.

2. Can I customize the vegetables in this salad?

Absolutely! Feel free to get creative and customize the vegetables based on your preferences and what you have on hand. You can add or substitute vegetables like cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets, or carrots. The possibilities are endless!

3. Can I make this salad vegetarian or vegan-friendly?

Yep! To make this salad vegetarian, ensure that the Caesar dressing you choose does not contain any animal products. For a vegan version, look for a plant-based Caesar dressing or make your own vegan Caesar dressing using ingredients like cashews, nutritional yeast, and garlic.

4. Can I add protein to this salad?

Absolutely! To add protein, you can include grilled chicken, cooked shrimp, or sliced hard-boiled eggs. Alternatively, you can incorporate plant-based proteins like chickpeas, tofu, or edamame.

5. Is this salad suitable for people with gluten intolerance?

While this recipe incorporates whole wheat rotini pasta, you can easily make it gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta instead. Check the packaging to ensure it is certified gluten-free.

Say goodbye to boring sandwiches and embrace the vibrant and flavorful Packable Caesar Pasta Salad. This recipe not only breaks the lunchtime monotony but also provides the goodness of whole grains and a medley of colorful vegetables. With its easy preparation and mouth watering flavors, this salad is sure to become a lunchtime favorite. So, get creative with your lunchbox choices and savor the deliciousness and nutrition of this incredible recipe!

Packable Caesar Pasta Salad

Finding new ways to freshen up lunchboxes can be a real challenge. Luckily, this Packable Caesar Pasta Salad recipe is a fresh idea to replace lunchtime sandwich staples.

Course 30 Minutes or Less, Lunch, Lunchbox Ideas, Side Dish

Keyword cold lunch, healthy lunch, lunch ideas, lunch recipes, pasta, pasta salad

Prep Time 20

Total Time 20

Servings

Calories 315kcal

Author Amanda Keefer

Ingredients

14 ½ oz whole wheat rotini pasta
1 pint grape tomatoes halved
1/2 cup frozen peas thawed
14 ½ oz low-sodium cannellini beans rinsed, drained
1 yellow bell pepper seeded, chopped
4 cloves garlic minced
1/4 cup Marie’s® Market Reserve Smoked Black Pepper Caesar Dressing
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 large zucchini julienned

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package instructions and rinse with cold water.
Mix tomatoes, peas, beans, peppers and garlic in large mixing bowl. Add cooked pasta, dressing, cheese and zucchini and mix well.
Serve with Fruit

Nutrition

The post Packable Caesar Pasta Salad appeared first on Healthy Family Project.

Broccoli & Dried Apricot Couscous Salad

Amanda Keefer — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 23:20:43 +0000

Delicious Middle Eastern Couscous Salad contains the health benefits of broccoli and dried apricots. Simple ingredients like broccoli florets, the juice of a navel orange, dried apricots, and whole wheat couscous come together to create a distinct flavor you will want to enjoy repeatedly.

Couscous is a quick-cooking whole grain that’s growing in popularity. Spice up your side dish routine with this couscous salad! Roasted broccoli gives a unique flavor that complements the dried apricots and zesty sauce.

Nutrition Tip: Couscous is a tiny version of pasta that’s speedy to cook and popular in North Africa. The whole wheat version packs more fiber and protein than regular couscous.

The whole wheat couscous features more protein and fiber than traditional pasta dishes, and is the perfect side dish for your next meal.

What is Couscous?

Couscous is a type of pasta that originates from North Africa. It is made from semolina flour, which is a durum wheat flour. The dough is rolled into small balls and then steamed. Couscous can be served as a side dish or as a main course. It is often served with vegetables and meat.

And yes, couscous is a healthier pasta dish than the traditional ones. For one, it is made from whole wheat which makes it a good source of fiber. It also has a lower glycemic index than regular pasta, meaning that it doesn’t spike your blood sugar levels as much. Finally, it is a good source of protein and other nutrients like magnesium and iron.

A Tasty Vegetarian Option

Our Broccoli and Dried Apricot Couscous Salad recipe is a delicious way to incorporate more fruits and veggies into your daily meal prep routine. Couscous is a staple food in Morocco and Northern Africa. It’s only in recent years that it has taken the American culinary world by storm and, making it is an inexpensive and nutritious choice. Sunflower seeds, lemon juice, salt, pepper, olive oil, and the navel orange juice create a flavor that is hard to describe. I guess you could say it’s bright and refreshing, but also comforting. The ingredients that make the salad are versatile and can be purchased at your local grocery store.

To give it an additional boost of flavor and nutrition, you could add a couple of tablespoons of shelled pistachios too. Pistachios in broccoli and dried-apricot couscous salad simply up the fiber, protein, and savory flavor profile. Bottom line – This is a great side dish to any meal, and this salad is an excellent addition to a healthy diet.

As an added benefit, apricots are a great source of fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. These nutrients help the body fight free radicals and prevent cells from being damaged. They also balance the electrolyte system and help lower blood pressure.

Another Great Addition Option – Chickpeas

A lot of people are curious as to whether or not chickpeas are healthy. The answer is yes! Chickpeas are a great source of protein and fiber, and they’re also low in calories.

There are many different ways to enjoy chickpeas. You can add them to salads like this one, soups, or even make your own hummus. No matter how you eat them, chickpeas are a delicious and nutritious way to fuel your body.

We recommend if you are going to add chickpeas to your Broccoli and Dried Apricot Couscous Salad that you roast them. Roasted chickpeas couldn’t be any easier to make.

Here’s a recipe for some that will be perfect in this salad: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Then, in a large bowl, combine chickpeas (drained, rinsed, and dried), about a teaspoon of olive oil, a quarter teaspoon each of chili powder and cumin, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss to combine. Spread the mixture in an even layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, until vegetables are tender and chickpeas are golden brown. Serve on top of your salad and go to flavor town!

Middle Eastern Broccoli & Dried Apricot Couscous Salad

Course Dairy Free

Keyword broccoli, couscous, dried appricot, healthy salads, pasta salad

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings

Calories 675kcal

Author Amanda Keefer

Ingredients

12 ounces broccoli florets
1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
1 small navel orange juiced, zested
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups cooked whole wheat couscous
12 dried apricots coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon sunflower seeds

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450°F.
Toss broccoli in 1 Tbsp. olive oil and lay single layer on baking sheet. Roast 10 minutes, or until tender.
Whisk juice, zest, ¼ cup oil, salt, and pepper together in small bowl.
Combine broccoli, apricots, and couscous in large bowl. Add dressing and mix to coat well. Top with sunflower seeds.

Nutrition

The post Broccoli & Dried Apricot Couscous Salad appeared first on Healthy Family Project.

Raspberry Walnut Salad

Jodi Danen, RD — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 22:51:35 +0000

This light, simple, and refreshing salad combines tender salad greens, fresh raspberries, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy walnuts, topped off with a simple homemade raspberry vinaigrette.

Fruit on salads – yay or nay? I say yay! Technically, tomatoes are a fruit and you see them on salads all the time. Fruit offers a juicy sweetness that can really take a salad to the next level.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Salad Greens – Go with a tender green like spinach, baby kale or spring mix for this salad.
Raspberries – So delicious in this salad! You can also swap or add in other berries, fresh cherries, apples or pears.
Goat Cheese – Plain or honey goat cheese pairs so nicely. Not a goat cheese fan? Fresh mozzarella, shredded Parmesan or Feta work well too.
Walnuts – Great for crunch and heart-healthy fats. Other nuts like pistachios, sliced almonds or pecan are great too.
Vinaigrette – A simple mix of olive oil, red wine vinegar and raspberry jam.

Raspberries are high in fiber and Vitamin C, making them a great addition to any meal. Look for raspberries that are firm with a deep color, and store them unwashed in the fridge. Simply rinse with cool water and pay dry with a paper towel when ready to add to your salad.

Raspberries are also good for gut health and are considered a brain-boosting food thanks to all vitamin C you will find in these beautiful red berries.

Commonly Asked Questions for our Raspberry Walnut Salad Recipe

Q: What are the main ingredients in this Raspberry Walnut Salad?
A: The main ingredients are salad greens (like baby kale or spinach), fresh raspberries, crumbled goat cheese, chopped walnuts, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and raspberry jam for the dressing.

Q: How is the raspberry vinaigrette made for this salad?
A: The vinaigrette is made by whisking together olive oil, red wine vinegar, and raspberry jam. Season with salt and pepper.

Q: What type of salad greens work best in this recipe?
A: Tender greens like baby kale, spinach or a spring mix blend are recommended.

Related: If you love raspberries, try our Raspberry Baked Chicken or our Raspberry & Basil English Muffin!

Q: Can you substitute a different nut besides walnuts?
A: Yes, the recipe notes that other nuts like pistachios, sliced almonds or pecans could be used instead of walnuts.

Q: Can you use a different cheese instead of goat cheese?
A: The recipe suggests fresh mozzarella, shredded parmesan or feta as alternatives to the goat cheese.

Q: What are the health benefits of eating Raspberries?
A: Raspberries provide an excellent nutritional boost to this salad. They are high in fiber to aid digestion and an exceptional source of vitamin C to support immune health. Raspberries also contain beneficial compounds like antioxidants and are considered a brain-boosting food. Their sweet-tart flavor pairs perfectly with the tangy dressing and creamy cheese.

Let’s make this Raspberry Walnut Salad!

Raspberry Walnut Salad

This light, simple and refreshing salad combines tender salad greens, fresh raspberries, tangy goat cheese and crunchy walnuts, topped off with a simple homemade raspberry vinaigrette.

Course Appetizers, Salads

Keyword healthy salads, raspberries, salad, walnut

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings servings

Calories 142kcal

Author Jodi Danen

Equipment

Salad Dressing Shaker

Ingredients

2½ Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. raspberry jam
1 5 oz. package organicgirlⓇ baby kale
¾ cup raspberries
⅓ cup chopped walnuts
2 oz. crumbled goat cheese

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Whisk oil, vinegar and jam in small bowl or mason jar. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Combine salad greens, raspberries, walnuts and goat cheese. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat.

Nutrition

Looking for another unique and delicious way to enjoy raspberries? We love them as a topping on English muffins with a bit of basil and cream cheese. Trust me, you gotta try it!

Have you ever added raspberries to your salad?

The post Raspberry Walnut Salad appeared first on Healthy Family Project.

Tuna Pasta Salad

Amanda Keefer — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 22:44:00 +0000

If you’re looking for a quick and easy pasta salad recipe, then you’ve come to the right place. This recipe uses ingredients like whole-wheat fusilli pasta, canned tuna, broccoli florets, frozen peas, and olive oil as the dressing. It can be served at any time of day and is packed with lots of nutrients.

Potluck, quick supper or easy side dish – this pasta salad is perfect for any occasion. It’s packed with nutrients and protein, and the fresh produce can be easily substituted for frozen as needed. The best thing about this recipe is that it tastes better when made ahead!

A Tasty and Healthy Pasta Dish

While pasta salad is already delicious and a hit at nearly any barbeque or picnic, the addition of the tuna gives it a kick of protein that could make this dish a lunch or even a dinner option.

Health Benefits of Tuna

Canned tuna pasta salad is a healthy alternative to traditional tuna salad. It is an excellent choice for lunch or as a side dish. It is high in protein and fiber, making it a satisfying meal. It is also a great way to use up leftovers.

Tuna is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein. The tuna in this salad is canned in water, so once it’s drained, it’s ready to add to your pasta salad with no additional cooking required.

Why We Chose Whole-Wheat Fusilli

In a world of so many different types of pasta, it can be hard to choose which one to use in your next dish. But if you’re looking for a pasta that is both healthy and delicious, look no further than whole-wheat fusilli. Whole-wheat fusilli is packed with nutrients. Unlike white pasta, which is made with refined flour, whole-wheat fusilli is made with 100% whole wheat flour. This means that it retains all of the nutrient-rich bran and germ from the wheat grain, making it a healthier option overall. Whole-wheat fusilli has a lower glycemic index than white pasta as well so it won’t give you the blood sugar spike often associated with it as well. This pasta is also ridged so it’s going to hold all the mayo and seasoning really well without falling apart amongst the other ingredients.

Try Giving it a Kick with Red Onion and Jalapeno

If you want to up the flavor and spice factor, you could try adding some slices of red onion and diced, seeded jalapeno. This will not only give it a kick, but it will also increase its vegetable and nutritional content too.

This Quick & Easy Tuna Pasta Salad is Budget-Friendly

If you want to have a great salad without breaking the bank, try making this budget-friendly tuna pasta salad recipe. The tuna in the salad will keep longer if kept in the refrigerator. And the leftovers are great for snacking on later in the day. The only drawback is that this pasta salad cannot be frozen! When cooking the whole-wheat fusilli, be sure to only cook it to al dente and drain the water really well. These two steps are critical so that the pasta doesn’t become a soggy sloshy mess!

To stretch it even further, you can add additional vegetables if you choose to. You can also try experimenting with other seafood and seasonings to make your salad a little different. For example, in place of plain albacore tuna, you could add flavored tuna packets instead. Have fun with it!

Quick & Easy Tuna Pasta Salad

Course Dairy Free

Keyword healthy salads, pasta, pasta salad, salad recipes, tuna

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 12

Total Time 22

Servings

Calories 95kcal

Author Amanda Keefer

Ingredients

1 16 oz. box whole-wheat fusilli pasta
2 cups broccoli florets
1 5 oz. can Albacore solid white tuna in water, drained
1 cup frozen peas thawed
1/2 cup olive oil mayonnaise
1 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions, adding broccoli last 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Combine pasta, broccoli, tuna, peas, mayonnaise, celery salt and pepper in large bowl. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

The post Tuna Pasta Salad appeared first on Healthy Family Project.

Green Fruit Salad

Amanda Keefer — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 20:24:54 +0000

Eating your greens takes on new meaning with this eye-catching green fruit salad. Fresh honeydew melon, green apples, grapes, and kiwi are combined with a touch of fresh mint for a refreshing snack or side dish.

If you are looking for a new fresh recipe to serve up then you need to try this Green Fruit Salsa. My kids are obsessed with all things green on St. Patrick’s Day so we threw together this super quick and super easy fruit salad to celebrate – and it was a hit! Of course you can make this recipe anytime of the year when these fruits are in season for you.

We are a fruit-loving family and have no problem eating any of these ingredients, but there was something special about mixing them and giving them a theme that made my girls go crazy over this fruit salad. Last year, we made some Rainbow Fruit Parfaits, and the year before that, we made some Shamrock Chips & Salsa. Making things green or rainbow-themed really seems to be a hit with my children.

Did you know? Green fruits are loaded with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, potassium and folate.

Ingredients for Green Fruit Salad:

Honeydew Melon: This light and refreshing fruit is about 90% water to keep you hydrated. Save time and grab fresh cut honeydew or use these tips to select a good one at your grocery store.
Grapes: The polyphenols found in grapes have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. As if you need a good excuse to snack on them!
Green Apple: Granny Smith apples offer that perfect tartness for this recipe. Grab tips for picking the best apples on our Produce Tips page.
Kiwi: Packed with potassium and fiber, these fuzzy little fruits give this salad an edge. Load ’em up!
Fresh Mint: The smell of fresh mint is amazing, adding some to this salad really kicks it up a notch.

Fruit Salad Make-Ahead Tips

This salad can be made ahead of time, but I would hold on the apple. Just chop and add when you’re ready to serve, otherwise the apple will brown.

You could also toss the apple in apple or pineapple juice before adding to the salad to keep browning at bay. Check out these tips for keeping apples from browning for more.

How to make this Green Fruit Salad

This recipe is very simple to assemble. First start by washing and prepping all of the fresh fruits that you are using. Peel and chop the kiwi, cut up the apples, cube the melon, and chop the fresh mint.

Grab a large mixing bowl and add all of the ingredients. Toss until all ingredients are well combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve and enjoy!

And if your kids like to help in the kitchen, this fruit salad is a great one for them to participate in helping with.

Other Fruit Salads to Try:

Make sure to PIN IT!

Green Fruit Salad

Eating your greens takes on new meaning with this eye-catching green fruit salad. Fresh honeydew melon, green apples, grapes and
kiwi are combined with a touch of fresh mint for a refreshing snack or side dish.

Course Sides

Keyword fruit salad, green fruit, st patricks day

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings servings

Calories 99kcal

Author Trish James

Equipment

Ingredients

2 cups cubed honeydew melon
2 cups green grapes
1 large green apple chopped
3 kiwi peeled, sliced
6-8 fresh mint leaves chopped

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Mix honeydew, grapes, apples and kiwi in large
bowl.
Sprinkle with fresh mint.

Nutrition

More Fruit Salad Recipes to Try:

Rainbow Fruit Tray

Rainbow Fruit Parfaits

St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Chips & Salsa

The post Green Fruit Salad appeared first on Healthy Family Project.

Christmas Tree Mozzarella and Tomato Salad

Andrea Wiggins — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 20:39:10 +0000

Looking for a festive twist on a classic Tomato & Mozzarella Salad? This easy and delicious recipe transforms fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and vibrant basil into a show-stopping holiday centerpiece.

Let’s be real—holiday hosting is a lot. Between managing your kids’ excitement, navigating the endless to-do list, and trying not to burn the cookies you swore you’d make from scratch this year, adding one more “fancy” dish to your holiday table feels impossible. But you know what? Sometimes, simple is all you need.

That’s where this Christmas Tree Mozzarella and Tomato Salad comes in. It’s festive, it’s easy, and it’s impressive enough to make your guests say, “Oh wow, did you make that?” (Why yes, yes I did.) The best part? You don’t need a ton of time, ingredients, or energy to pull it off—three things I know we’re all running short on this time of year.

Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, taking a dish to a potluck, or just need something that looks really cute for your holiday table, this recipe has you covered. Plus, it’s one of those magical dishes that’s both beautiful and healthy, which balances out all the cookies, hot chocolate, and ahem extra slices of pie we’ve been indulging in lately.

Let’s get started, grab your mozzarella and some tomatoes, and let’s make this holiday magic happen!

Mozzarella and Tomato Salad: What You’ll Need

Here’s the short and sweet shopping list:

8 oz container of mozzarella balls
Tomatoes (cherry tomatoes or larger ones you can slice)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic glaze
Sea salt
Fresh basil

That’s it. Six ingredients. You’ve got this!

Why This Salad Recipe Works

I’ll be honest this salad has saved me more than once. I’m a mom of three, which means most holiday prep looks like me running around in 15 different directions while my kids ask me for snacks approximately every three minutes. When you’re juggling all that, you need recipes that are:

Quick: This comes together in about 20 minutes, start to finish.
Kid-Friendly: My kids love helping with the molds and “decorating” the platter.
Stress-Free: No complicated steps, no surprise mishaps. Just festive and fun.
Actually Pretty: You’ll feel like you accomplished something Pinterest-worthy, even if the rest of the house looks like a holiday tornado hit.

Serving Ideas

This salad is a hit on its own, but it pairs perfectly with:

Crusty bread or homemade crostinis
Charcuterie boards (because, cheese and tomatoes—yes, please)
Holiday soups or roasts

It’s also a great dish to bring to a potluck or family gathering. Bonus: It travels well, so you don’t have to worry about it falling apart en route.

For more ideas to side this salad, you can get some inspiration from our Festive Tomato Recipes for this holiday season and enjoy them with family and friends.

Christmas Tree Mozzarella & Tomato Salad

Fresh and Delicious Tomato and Mozzarella Salad. This easy and healthy recipe transforms fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and vibrant basil into a Christmas season piece.

Course 30 Minutes or Less, Appetizers, Salads

Cuisine Italian

Keyword 30 minute meals, salad recipes

Prep Time 20

Total Time 20

Servings

Calories 90kcal

Equipment

1 Christmas Tree Silicon Tray

Ingredients

8 oz container of mozzarella balls
20 piece Cherry Tomatoes cherry tomatoes or larger ones you can slice
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic glaze
1 Pinch Sea salt
6 leaves Fresh basil

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Prep the Cheese: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grab your cutest Christmas-themed silicone molds (I used little tree shapes), pop them onto a baking sheet, and add a mozzarella ball to each one.
Bake (Briefly!): Stick the molds in the oven for 8-10 minutes, until the mozzarella gets nice and melty. Keep an eye on them—you don’t want them to melt completely, just soften enough to mold into shape.
Cool Down: Once the cheese comes out of the oven, gently blot any excess moisture with a paper towel (because no one likes soggy cheese). Then toss the molds into the fridge for about 10 minutes to let the mozzarella firm up.
Slice the Tomatoes: While the cheese is cooling, slice your tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes are cute and easy, but if you’re using larger tomatoes, just slice them into rounds.
Assemble the Magic: Now the fun part! Arrange your sliced tomatoes on a platter to create the “base” of your salad. Carefully pop the mozzarella out of the molds and place them on top in a festive pattern.
Add the Finishing Touches: Drizzle the whole thing with olive oil and balsamic glaze, sprinkle a little sea salt, and top with fresh basil leaves.

Nutrition

The post Christmas Tree Mozzarella and Tomato Salad appeared first on Healthy Family Project.