Beet Pasta Salad
By Amanda Flower
I work full time as a librarian,
and I write full time too. I don’t have a lot of opportunity to cook, and one
the tasks I dislike the most is packing my lunch for days I’m at the library.
After a while, PB and J really gets old. So I have made up recipes that I can
make in bulk that will last me the whole week. And even though I write the
Amish Candy Shop Mysteries, which are full of sweets, I try to eat as healthy
as possible and try to stick to more fruits and veggies in my lunches than
candy. Most of the time, I’m
successful at that.
One of the recipes that I make a
lot is Beet Pasta Salad. It’s fast and easy, and I can pack it perfectly
proportioned containers of it for all five days of the work week. I came up
with this recipe because I love pasta salad and I love beets. One day, I just
decided to put them together. Since I’m a vegetarian, I always have fresh
veggies in the house, so I just add whatever vegetables that I have on hand the
day I made the salad.
If you are like me and really get
tired of sandwiches day after day, this might be the recipe for you.
Enjoy!
Beet Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
1 can of whole beets
1 16 oz box of penne pasta
Raw vegetables of your choice
Salt and pepper
Italian salad dressing or oil and vinegar
Directions:
1)
Boil pasta
2)
Rough chop vegetables
3)
Rough chop beets
4)
Mix pasta,
vegetables, beets, and Italian salad dressing in a bowl
5)
Add salt and pepper
to taste
6)
Refrigerate overnight
Amanda is offering a copy of Assaulted Caramel today to one commenter. So do tell...what do you like for lunch? Leave your email (cryptic if necessary) so Amanda can get in contact with you should you win.
It all depends on the day, but I like to eat a nice leafy salad with grilled chicken and some little grape tomatoes. 😀
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add my email. jmhansen2017@gmail.com
DeleteIt really differs. Some days salads & some days sandwiches!
ReplyDeletelindaherold999@gmail.com
Tomato soup and a grilled cheese, although I love an Indian buffet.
ReplyDeletebrowninggloria at hotmail dot com
a salad with grilled chicken
ReplyDeleteThis salad looks very interesting. I am a salad for lunch person, too. When I was teaching, I took my lunch everyday. My preference is a green salad...maybe spinach or kale, or mixed baby greens. Add some cooked, cubed chicken, blueberries and maybe a few nuts or goji berries...some healthy dressing...yum! Thanks for the chance to win a book! Lldawnjm (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteBy the time I get out of work it is 1pm and I spent the last 2 hrs in the lunchroom of my daughter's junior high school... some days all i am in the mood for is cottave cheese and a banana. Other days i am so hungry i get take out from fast food. It all depends on how much ranch and ketsup I am around... too much and all bets are off 🙈
ReplyDeletelilyanngill56(at)gmail(dot)com
I love yogurt with nuts and berries! Thanks for a chance at the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteLove your books!!
faithdcreech at gmail dot com
Welcome, Amanda! For lunch, I go with lots of steamed vegetables and lean protein (varies with the day, but usually eggs or nuts/nut butters/seeds). EMS591@aol.com
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI love chicken salad on a croissant. brichardson0056(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love a good spinach salad for lunch. cathyleeclark(at)yahoo (dot)com
ReplyDeleteMindy MattoxFebruary 4, 2018 at 2:31 AM
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your beet salad recipe. I love beets,especially in greek salads. It depends on the day,what my kids feel like eating,etc... Some days,I will steam eggs in our egg cooker for egg salad. Sometimes I will wake up extra early to toss ingredients in our slow cooker for homemade soup,that will be ready by lunch time.I may even start a loaf of bread in the bread machine. So we can have bread with soup :) !
Some days it is bean and cheese nachos. Thanks for the chance to win a book :) ! Mindy_1978_Rene at Yahoo.com
If it's a cold day, I love a bowl of hearty soup for lunch. But usually I have leftovers from dinner the night before. Thanks for this opportunity! HawksSB48(at)gmail(dot)com.
ReplyDeleteI'm a sandwich fan...like a Dagwood sandwich. I mostly loved McDonald's grilled chicken ceasar salads for lunch until they discontinued them so I went back to sandwiches. Rootseller55 at gmail dot com.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite lunches are usually a frozen entre. Of the diet variety. At lest when I am at work. On the weekends I prefer a salad. To your recipe I would add a cheese, probably feta. I would vary the dressings depending on what protein I added. Like feta requires Greek dressing.
ReplyDeleteSince we are retired, we are home to have anything we want for lunch! I love good bread and love a well made sandwich (with chips), but sadly the scale doesn't approve of that! Usually I have a huge tossed salad with some sort of protein and a small piece of fruit for dessert. sharonquiltsatyahoodotcom
ReplyDeleteSince it is just my husband and I, I try to cook meals for four portions or so, then I can have the leftovers, as I work from home. If I don't have anything, some hummus, olives and veggies is good. Unless it is the season for McRibs and then I must admit I cave. moodiesmum(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI like how the beets turn the pasta pink :-) Leftovers from dinner or PB&J hits the spot for me. ellenjbumblebee(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI like a nice side of rice with vegetables & a fruit of some kind. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI like a turkey sandwich with a side of macaroni salad for lunch. Thanks for the chance. Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI know it's not healthy but, I usually end up with a cheeseburger for lunch because that's when my son gets off work for the day and that's what he usually wants. But, I only eat 3-4 fries, if that.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
For lunch I enjoy soup with a baguette. Summer though a kale salad. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteLove reading all these lunch ideas!
ReplyDeleteI tend to have leftovers for lunch and purposely make a bit extra for dinners with that as the purpose. So lunch can be a reheated pasta dish, enchiladas, roast chicken and vegetables, etc. If I have made some kind of roasted meat, I can also put in the time to make a few slices into sandwiches with all the fixings. But this latter option takes the most effort, all of the usual leftovers for lunch are just scooped into a container and reheated if needed.
ReplyDeletelittle lamb lst at yahoo dot com
Lunch can be anything. Left overs, sandwich, etc. Depends on mood & what is on hand. But generally buy mixed herbs & baby greens & as wide a variety of veggies that can be eaten raw with lots of blue cheese chunky dressing. Sometimes with a handful of meat tossed in if any left over, though partial to shrimp & chicken. Love the recipe. Gotta do this one. Thanks. Looks like a great read, so hoping. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI do love beets, so this beet pasta salad is definitely going to get a try (and it's so easy)! Thanks for visiting Mystery Lovers' Kitchen and for your book giveaway. bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteI usually have leftovers for lunch. My grandsons I babysit both love mac and cheese too, and sometimes I fix that or add tuna to it. legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI LOVE soup for lunch! I could live of soup in the winter. I also love a grilled sandwich, usually grilled.
ReplyDeleteLanderson0626@hotmail.com
Sometimes leftovers. Sometimes a sandwich. Sometimes I skip lunch entirely.
ReplyDeletepatdupuy@yahoo.com
Thanks for that recipe. I love beets and that looks delicious 😋
ReplyDeleteI like Greek yogurt and fresh fruit or a green salad loaded with all sorts of sliced vegetables for lunch.
Thanks for the great giveaway.
donnaing1(at)gmail(dot)com
The beet pasta recipe sounds great. I love beets. I make extra portions at dinner so I have leftovers for lunch. I keep onevor two cans of beets at work in case I did't pack enough to feel full. My favorite left over is the chicken tenders that have been baked in a gluten free mushroom porcini soup from Amy's. I also love a lunch of olive tapenade and humus with tortilla chips. Darn, now I am hungry!!
ReplyDeletepatruta.mcghan@gmail.com
I'll eat anything & everything any time of day. LOL
ReplyDeletebookworm.walters@gmail.com
I have lunch with my 91 year old Dad. Usually he picks what we have. We have chicken most days. His favorite.
ReplyDeleteI too get tired of sandwiches and I’m trying to loose weight so I’ve been eating yogurt most days for lunch. I work in a school cafeteria and sometimes I give in and eat something that isn’t good for me. Pgtsmith@optonline.net
ReplyDeleteSounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you do for lunchtime protein?
libbydodd at comcast dot nert
I also try to make easy food for lunch. Usually it's veggies & rice or pasta with chicken. This beet pasta salad would be good to add to the rotation.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com
I usually have a sandwich for lunch, but if I have leftovers, those are my favorite.
ReplyDeletececilialyoung at gmail dot com
I tend to have leftovers for lunch. I try to carefully portion out dinner so that I have some leftover for my lunch -- it saves calories & money, which is good. But if I do not have leftovers, I tend to have warm pasta salads made from whatever is on the house or soup & crackers. ellieanne(at)email(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI usually eat leftovers! I never know how many I'm cooking for or who won't want to eat what I make; (gluten free only) so, sometimes (most night, actually) I cook too much!
ReplyDeleteI love soups!!!! Salads and plannedovers are good options, also.
ReplyDeleteJ4hibdon. AT yahoo. DOT com. Thanx for the giveaway!!!!
DeleteSometimes I have soup or sandwich or a meal with meat and vegetables. Other days have different things. lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net
ReplyDeleteI love salads in the summer, soup in the winter and a sandwich or leftovers are good too.
ReplyDeletemarypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Merry
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI love Pasta Salads for lunch, and your Beet Pasta Salad will be on one of my lunch menus!
ReplyDeleteI prefer to have a salad for lunch. If not a salad then it is leftovers. I am a very picky eater and do not like beet. I cannot even get past the smell of them. Toadmsand@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI usually eat yogurt with granola for lunch. I like beets and plan on trying your recipe.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I usually have leftovers. I also,like salad or sushi for lunch.
ReplyDeletesgiden at verizon(.)net
For these cold winter days in western New York, it's home made soup for lunch! Split pea with ham (you can leave out the ham!)soup is in the refrigerator now, waiting for tomorrow's lunch. Your beet pasta salad sounds delicious! I'm taking a salad to a crafting group on Valentine's Day and just may make this salad! auroras4@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI like to have homemade soup for lunch. Your recipe sounds good, but I like my beets pickled. mjbtdbaayahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your beet salad recipe. I may have to try it. I usually take something that I can eat quickly. I only get a 20 minute lunch break between classes. Dellagnesem at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteMy email came up wrong. mjbtdb@yahoo.com. Sorry
ReplyDeleteI don't always have time for a proper lunch, but I usually grab a yogurt or if I can a tuna sandwich. Many days, though, it's a liquid lunch of Starbucks caramel macchiato!
ReplyDeletemeeshpsych@aol.com
I'm on a tuna kick right now and have a packet of low sodium tuna in water (drained) and mixed with oyster crackers - sljesse10@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI still try to cook extra whenever I cook, so I'll have leftovers for lunch. If I go out to eat I try to order a larger portion so again I'll have leftovers for another meal. Are these pickled beets or plain beets? I prefer pickled. It looks really good. jawdance@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteFor lunch I love Vegetable soup along with a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich to dunk. Thank you for the chance. lamonicaks (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteA pita pocket with hummus, tabouli and greens.
ReplyDeletejtcgc at yahoo dot com
Give me a good peanut butter sandwich (whole grain bread) and some Lay's wavy chips and I'm good to go. Thanks for a chance to win in the give-a-way! sxygrndma48{at}yahoo{dot}com
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for the release of "Lethal Licorice"! I really enjoyed "Assaulted Caramel" and I wonder if Bailey's friend from New York will be heard from again in the series! -Heather, Common sandwich eater ;)
ReplyDeleteTeacupsAndLipstick at gmail dot com
I like to have either a grilled cheese sandwich of some sort of a tuna sandwich. Easy and quick to fix.
ReplyDeleteseffichinchilla@outlook.com
If I had my way, I'd have some sort of salad every day for lunch. I love to fix the nappa cabbage salad and then I can enjoy it for several days. I just make sure not to add the dressing to it until I eat it so it stays crisp and delicious.
ReplyDeleteWe are retired and can eat when we want now. We have changed to eating a little earlier since our elderly fur-baby is now on insulin. He thinks if we eat, then it's time for his supper too. :) By doing so, now I usually eat just alight snack for lunch like peanut butter and crackers or some veggies and dip. Still making the salads but now I eat a smaller portion with my evening meal.
I must tell you I LOVE the covers to your books. Since I absolutely love licorice, you know I was drawn to "Lethal Licorice" cover. Really enjoy books that have an Amish connection so I naturally want to read all the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series.
Thank you for the wonderful chance to win the first book in the series - "Assaulted Caramel"!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Usually fresh fruit and a half of a peanut butter sandwich
ReplyDelete1cow0993(at)gmail(dot)com
I found a delicious and fast recipe that I have all the time. Boil 1/2 cup broth and add 1/4 couscous. When the liquid is absorbed add in a 1/2 cup rotisserie or canned chicken and 2 tablespoons of dried cranberries. It freezes well, so I normally make 4 servings at a time.
ReplyDeleteSharon S is the winner of this giveaway by random selection. Amanda will be in touch with you via email. Congrats and tell a friend. ~ Daryl
ReplyDelete