Lemon Pasta Salad
Embrace the coastal vibes with this refreshing and delightful Lemon Pasta Salad. Its vibrant flavors and easy preparation will make it a staple in your recipe collection, perfect for bringing a taste of the seaside to your table.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 344kcal
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta penne, rotini, trotolle, cavatappi, fusilli, campanelle
- 1 pound fresh asparagus trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 1/2 cup shaved parmesan cheese
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 lemons
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt add more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Blanch the asparagus for 1-1 1/2 minutes or until tender-crisp. Drain in a colander, then transfer to an ice bath. Once completely cooled, drain again, and set aside.
- In a small skillet, toast pine nuts on medium-low heat until lightly browned, stirring often. Watch closely as they can burn quickly.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1/3 cup lemon juice, olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, asparagus, fresh basil, pine nuts, and shaved Parmesan.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly. Transfer to a serving bowl. If desired, garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, pine nut, basil, and/or lemon slices.
Video
Notes
Pro Tips and Substitutions
- Type of Pasta: Use any short pasta shape like penne, rotini, trotolle, cavatappi, fusilli, or campanelle.
- Vegetables: Swap asparagus for blanched green beans, snap peas, or broccoli florets for a different flavor and texture.
- Nuts: Substitute pine nuts with toasted almonds or walnuts for a different crunch.
- Cheese: Try pecorino romano or feta for a different cheesy flavor.
- Other Additions: You can exchange of add ingredient to create your favorite pasta salad flavor. Some great options are red onion, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, marinated artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, sweet bell peppers, baby spinach, sundried tomatoes, and green onion.
Nutrition
Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 326mg | Potassium: 374mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 774IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 3mg
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