Like coleslaw and corn on the cob, macaroni salad is a summer party food staple. But like potato salad, it’s also generally filled with empty carbs and empty calories (ahem, mayo).

This whole wheat pasta salad is a whole (couldn’t help it!) different story.

First of all, whole wheat pasta provides fiber and other vitamins and minerals that the white stuff doesn’t. Throw in veggies and heart-healthy olive oil and it’s a fresh, light side that pairs perfectly with grilled fish or a grass-fed burger.

Plus, it’s easy to throw in whatever frozen veggies you’ve got at home. Or you can steam basically any fresh produce you’ve got on hand. That’ll make it easy to create flavor combos you love while also using up whatever veggies are at their peak.