Pasta Salad Lunchbox Jar

Pasta salad in a jar is the lunchbox hack you didn’t know you needed. Layer the ingredients in a mason jar, and they stay fresh and separate until lunchtime. When your child is ready to eat, they just shake the jar and pour. It’s fun, portable, and perfect for meal prep. Make several jars on Sunday for lunches all week.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked pasta (rotini, bowtie, or penne)
• ¼ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¼ cup cucumber, diced
• ¼ cup shredded carrots
• ¼ cup cooked chicken or turkey, diced (optional)
• 2 tablespoons Italian dressing or vinaigrette
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• Mason jar or lunchbox container with tight lid

Instructions

1. Start with the dressing: Pour 2 tablespoons of dressing into the bottom of the mason jar. This keeps the dressing from making other ingredients soggy.
2. Add sturdy vegetables next: Layer in cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and shredded carrots. These won’t get soggy sitting in the dressing.
3. Add protein: Layer the diced chicken or turkey (if using) on top of the vegetables.
4. Add the pasta last: Fill the jar with cooked pasta, leaving a little room at the top. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Seal the jar tightly.
5. When ready to eat, shake the jar well to distribute the dressing, then pour into a bowl or eat directly from the jar. Refrigerate until lunchtime.