Lemon Pasta Salad
Bright, tangy, and full of fresh flavors, this Lemon Pasta Salad is the perfect addition to your warm-weather meals.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Colander
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Cutting Board & Knife
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
- 12 oz 340 g rotini or bowtie pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper diced
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
For the Lemon Dressing
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp honey or maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Pro tip: Taste a piece a minute before the recommended time—it should be tender but still have a slight bite.
Drain and Cool the Pasta
- Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool slightly.
- Pro tip: Toss with a tiny drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking while you prep the veggies.
Prepare the Vegetables and Cheese
- Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, and thinly slice the red onion.
- Crumble the feta cheese and chop the fresh parsley.
- Add all the veggies and cheese to the bowl with the pasta.
- Pro tip: Cut the vegetables into uniform pieces so every bite has a balanced mix of flavors.
Make the Lemon Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and honey (if using).
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Pro tip: Whisk continuously until the dressing is smooth and slightly emulsified—this helps it coat the pasta evenly.
Toss Everything Together
- Pour the lemon dressing over the pasta and vegetables.
- Gently toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—sometimes a little extra salt or lemon juice brightens the flavors.
Chill and Serve
- Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature as a side dish or light meal.
Notes
Nutritional Value (per serving, approx.):
- Calories: 280–300 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg