As the days grow warmer and fresh produce bursts onto the scene, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than with a vibrant Spring Pasta Salad. This dish combines tender pasta with a medley of seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs, and a zesty dressing that brings everything to life. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or simply as a light meal, this salad is not only colorful but also packed with flavor and nutrition. You can customize it with your favorite spring veggies, making it a versatile addition to your warm-weather menu.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup snap peas, trimmed
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced (any color)
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Blanch the Vegetables: In a separate pot, bring water to a boil. Add the asparagus and snap peas and blanch for about 2-3 minutes until vibrant and tender-crisp. Drain and immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain again.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and season with salt and pepper.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, blanched vegetables, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, and herbs. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Serve: If using, sprinkle the feta cheese on top just before serving. This salad can be enjoyed immediately or refrigerated for up to 2 hours to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Enjoy this refreshing Spring Pasta Salad as a delightful way to embrace the season!
As the days grow warmer and fresh produce bursts onto the scene, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than with a vibrant Spring Pasta Salad. This dish combines tender pasta with a medley of seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs, and a zesty dressing that brings everything to life. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or simply as a light meal, this salad is not only colorful but also packed with flavor and nutrition. You can customize it with your favorite spring veggies, making it a versatile addition to your warm-weather menu.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup snap peas, trimmed
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced (any color)
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Blanch the Vegetables: In a separate pot, bring water to a boil. Add the asparagus and snap peas and blanch for about 2-3 minutes until vibrant and tender-crisp. Drain and immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain again.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and season with salt and pepper.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, blanched vegetables, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, and herbs. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Serve: If using, sprinkle the feta cheese on top just before serving. This salad can be enjoyed immediately or refrigerated for up to 2 hours to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Enjoy this refreshing Spring Pasta Salad as a delightful way to embrace the season!
