For leisurely lunches and buzzy get-togethers, pasta salad is a go-to that needs no introduction. A dish that’s familiar and easy to customize, it’s welcome on any menu or buffet spread. But what can you do to infuse an old standby with a little pizzazz? Tender and nutty, ready in a record 5-7 minutes, Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous is the pasta salad upgrade your tried-and-true recipes need! Effortlessly swap out your go-to noodles for this Mediterranean alternative, and marvel at the delicious results.
Made from high-quality semolina wheat, Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous (also known as Israeli couscous) is a type of pasta, not a grain. Larger than traditional couscous, but smaller than Lebanese couscous, pearl couscous offers the simplicity of the first with the bouncy texture of the second. To make pearl couscous, wheat dough is formed into small balls.
These are then toasted (traditionally over an open flame), to enhance the couscous’ flavor and texture. A staple of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, pearl couscous is often used in stews, soups and salads, or as a simple side.
When making pasta salad for meal prep, weekday dinners, gatherings and more, Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous is a no measure, no mess ingredient that takes the stress out of cooking. Use it in your favorite pasta salad recipe, or try something new, for meals that wow with every bite. Wondering how to add flavor to pasta salad?
Further enhance your recipes with homemade dressing, herbs and a mix of creamy, salty, fresh and tangy ingredients. Think of flavor, color and texture—turn to add-ins that really pop! —when crafting your perfect bowl.
Ready to enhance your favorite pasta salad recipes? Leave the bowties and macaroni on the shelf, in favor of Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous! An ingredient that adds flavor, style and ease to any dish, it’s a surprising substitute sure to turn heads.
How to Add Flavor to Your Pasta Salad with These Pearl Couscous Recipes
An ingredient that soaks up flavor without falling apart, pearl couscous’ nutty aroma and tender chew make it an essential upgrade for your pasta salads. For a taste of something new, try it in these popular Success® Rice Boil-In-Bag recipes, or sub it into any of your favorite dishes.
Simple Lemon Butter Pearl Couscous
A bright and savory lemon dressing coats bouncy Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous in this 15-minute side. With only five ingredients, each one is integral to this dish, from the zingy citrus to the butter-sautéed shallots. Opting for pearl couscous keeps prep simple while ensuring that every mouthful of this sophisticated dish is brimming with flavor.
Mediterranean Pearl Couscous Salad
Similar to a Greek salad, this savory option features juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers and loads of briny feta cheese. Ideal for meal prep or to make in advance of a gathering, this dish actually gets better as it sits. Set this dish aside as you wait for guests to arrive, and allow the Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous to absorb every fresh, zippy flavor.
Cranberry Pearl Couscous Salad
Any great meal plan—be it for weekdays, weeknights, for the family or for guests—should include make-ahead dishes that lessen your last-minute workload! Designed to taste delish hot or cold, right after it’s made or hours later, this festive dish is brimming with onions, cranberries, almonds and herbs. Sautéing the couscous in oil before boiling it imparts every pearl with even more toasty flavors.
Cherry Tomato Caprese Pearl Couscous Salad
Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous adds heft to this fresh riff on classic caprese salad. Dressed in the colors of the original—white, red and green nods to the Italian flag—it’s bolstered by bouncy pearls of couscous and a tangy balsamic glaze. Served as part of a springtime buffet spread, or simply spooned alongside grilled proteins, this is a delightfully satisfying dish thanks to its variety of textures and flavors.
Summer Shrimp Pearl Couscous Salad
When you need a pasta salad that doubles as a main, this shrimp-loaded dish is guaranteed to delight! Featuring a generous medley of ingredients—including savory chickpeas, sweet sautéed shrimp, farm-fresh produce, feta and warm pearl couscous—it’s a menu addition that’s worth every smidgen of extra effort it takes to make.
Pesto Pearl Couscous Salad
A perennial favorite, pesto pasta salad is a must-have on many a warm-weather table. Though we mostly stick to the script, with plenty of bright pesto flavoring every ingredient, we switch things up by substituting tempting Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous for flavorless noodles. Then, we add ripe tomatoes, chickpeas, mozzarella and pesto, for a salad with an abundance of textures and flavors. To ensure there’s not a single ho-hum forkful, we insist on plenty of fresh basil and a flurry of parmesan cheese to cap things off!
Pearl Couscous and Chickpea Salad
For this quick dish, we lean into Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous’ Middle Eastern roots with aromatic za’atar seasoning. A zesty blend of dried herbs, spices and sesame seeds, it’s a delicious addition to this combination of vegetables, chickpeas and couscous dressed with a squirt of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Ideal for meal prep or to serve on busy days, this dish is the epitome of worry-free comfort food.
Green Goddess Pearl Couscous Salad
Bite-sized and delectably tender, Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous is the focal point of this verdant dish. Tossed in herbaceous green goddess dressing, then combined with green onions, juicy tomatoes, pungent bites of feta and creamy avocado, it transforms into the type of salad you’ll want to incorporate into every meal.
