Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad
What You Should Know
You’d find this in the deli/grab-and-go case at Whole Foods, pulled for picnics, potlucks, or an easy weeknight side. It reads as a comforting, slightly indulgent prepared pasta salad—bright peppers and spinach lend a fresh vibe while the creamy smoked-mozzarella dressing gives it a nostalgic deli feel. The ingredient list and textures (emulsified dressing, stabilizers like xanthan gum, fortified pasta, dried egg yolk, and packaged roasted peppers) point to industrial formulation and shelf-ready convenience typical of ultra-processed items.
Nutrition Facts
Ingredients
Smoked, Mozzarella, Pasta, Salad, (cooked, penne, rigate, pasta, [water,, enriched, penne, rigate, pasta, (durum, wheat, semolina,, niacin,, ferrous, sulfate, [iron],, thiamine, mononitrate,, riboflavin,, folic, acid),, canola, oil, and, extra, virgin, olive, oil],, smoked, mozzarella, pasta, dressing, [canola, oil,, water,, garlic, (garlic,, water),, champagne, wine, vinegar,, parmesan, cheese, (pasteurized, milk,, cheese, culture,, salt,, enzymes),, sea, salt,, vinegar,, dried, egg, yolk,, sugar,, spices,, corn, starch,, xanthan, gum,, lemon, juice, concentrate],, smoked, low-moisture, mozzarella, cheese, [pasteurized, milk,, vinegar,, salt,, cheese, cultures,, enzymes,, natural, hickory, smoked],, fire, roasted, red, pepper, strips, [red, bell, peppers,, water,, salt,, citric, acid, and, calcium, chloride],, spinach,, parmesan, cheese, [pasteurized, milk,, cheese, cultures,, salt,, enzymes])..
Flagged Ingredients:
- •canola oil - Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids
- •canola oil - Processed emulsifier
Dietary Labels
Ultra-Processing Assessment
Ultra-Processed
Why this score?
Ready-to-eat, industrially formulated product with additives and stabilizers (xanthan gum, dried egg yolk), emulsified dressing, fortified pasta and packaged roasted peppers—characteristics consistent with NOVA group 4 (ultra-processed).
Others also viewed
Classic Coleslaw
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Sesame Cucumber Noodles
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Brussels & Kale Slaw
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Red Bliss Potato Salad
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Classic Tuna Salad
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Field Greens & Goat Cheese Salad
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Cranberry Apple Tuna Salad
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Field Greens & Goat Cheese Family Salad
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Greek Tortellini Salad
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Sonoma Chicken Salad
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Baja Salmon Entrée Salad
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
WHOLE FOODS KITCHENS Black Bean Chili with Quinoa, 24 OZ
Whole Foods Market Kitchens
Common Questions about Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad
The Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad can definitely fit into a balanced diet, but 'healthy' is a bit subjective. With 280 calories per serving, it's not a calorie bomb, but it does contain some fats from the cheeses and oils. It's great for a quick meal or side dish, especially if you're looking for something tasty and satisfying!