Melon and Prosciutto Pasta Salad

by Dorothy Reinhold on March 26, 2017

Print This Post Melon and Prosciutto Pasta Salad: Prosciutto-wrapped melon is a classic Italian appetizer. When these simple flavors are tossed with pasta and spinach, they make a delicious, low-calorie quick and portable lunch or side dish.

Melon and Prosciutto Pasta Salad: Prosciutto-wrapped melon is a classic Italian appetizer. When these simple flavors are tossed with pasta and spinach, they make a delicious, low-calorie quick and portable lunch or side dish.

When you think of pasta, don’t you automatically think of a big, comforting, carby bowl o’ goodness? And doesn’t it scare you if you’re watching your diet, because you really, truly, don’t have the willpower to just eat two strands of pasta and call it a meal.

But pasta dishes don’t have to be caloric. Witness this California-style Melon and Prosciutto Pasta Salad, a fresh take on a springy pasta salad, featuring two kinds of melon classically paired with prosciutto and a couple of tiny mozzarella balls thrown in for protein. Leafy spinach and basil jump into the bowl for added nutrition and flavor. The pasta is not the star attraction in this dish, but it is more like the support pillar.

At under 250 calories, this would be an amazing lunch (no afternoon nap needed!), or bring it to a gathering (wedding or bridal shower? Easter brunch?) and rake in the compliments.

Easy Melon Prosciutto Pasta Salad And since March is National Nutrition Month, we’re right in keeping with a check on calories, enough protein to satisfy, and a low-fat approach.

Lunch is served, and my fork is so happy!

Melon and Prosciutto Pasta Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

Melon and Prosciutto Pasta Salad

Melon and Prosciutto Pasta Salad: Prosciutto-wrapped melon is a classic Italian appetizer. When these simple flavors are tossed with pasta and spinach, they make a delicious, low-calorie quick and portable lunch or side dish.

Ingredients

4 ounces gemelli-shaped pasta
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 small honeydew melon (12 ounces)
1/2 small cantaloupe (12 ounces)
12 cocktail bocconcini (tiny mozzarella balls, about 3 ounces)
3 slices/1.5 ounces torn prosciutto
4 cups/4 ounces baby spinach
1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves

Directions

Cook gemelli according to package directions. Drain and let cool completely.
Meanwhile, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper; toss with pasta.
Using melon baller, scoop out 12 small balls each melon and cantaloupe; add melon balls, bocconcini and prosciutto to pasta. Toss well to combine. Stir in spinach and basil.

Notes

Substitutions: For a simple variation, substitute crumbled feta cheese for bocconcini and mint for basil.

Nutrition: 6 servings (Per 1/6th recipe) Calories 236, Fat 11 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Cholesterol 16 mg, Sodium 310 mg, Carbohydrate 26 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugars 11 g, Protein 9 g

Recipe and photo source: National Pasta Association

https://www.shockinglydelicious.com/melon-and-prosciutto-pasta-salad/

If you like this recipe and want to save it, pin the image below to your Pinterest board!

Melon Prosciutto Pasta Salad recipe

This recipe is linked to Meal Plan Monday.

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Tagged as: basil, bocconcini, cantaloupe, fresh mozzarella, honeydew, melon, mozzarella, pasta, prosciutto, Salad, spinach

{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }

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Kimberly August 13, 2018 at 6:05 pm

This looks so good, I love all the flavors!

Sabrina August 13, 2018 at 2:40 pm

This looks so perfect for summer! Such a great idea!

Amanda August 13, 2018 at 2:10 pm

Picture looks amazing, nice recipe!

Jersey Girl Cooks April 18, 2017 at 6:56 am

I love all the colors in this salad. Perfect for spring!

Constance | Cosmopolitan Cornbread April 18, 2017 at 5:49 am

What a perfect summer salad. Love everything in there, and I adore prosciutto!

The Food Hunter April 10, 2017 at 8:21 am

This is my kind of salad!

debi at Life Currents April 6, 2017 at 4:15 pm

This salad looks light and refreshing, but still packed with flavor. Maybe this is what I’ll take to the Easter potluck!

Ellen April 4, 2017 at 6:34 am

A classic and delicious combination. A great pasta salad for summer!

Debra C. April 3, 2017 at 4:25 pm

Such a lovely flavor combo – the light vinaigrette looks so flavorful too, what a yummy salad!!

Denise Wright April 1, 2017 at 5:36 am

I can’t believe this is under 250 calories. You are so right about not having to have big bowl of pasta but you sprinkled it in there with all those other good for ingredients. Very creative!

Maeva @ Cook A Life! by Maeva March 30, 2017 at 12:04 pm

I like these little pasta, I have never seen some before and this sounds like a good idea for a filling and refreshing lunch. I’m so eager to have melons here in France!

Mary Ellen March 30, 2017 at 6:27 am