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Fresh Easy Summer Pasta Salad Recipe with Lemon Herb Vinaigrette and Feta

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A bright, zesty, and refreshing pasta salad perfect for summer outdoor meals, featuring a lemon herb vinaigrette and creamy feta cheese.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1 small cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, diced (optional)
  • 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
  • 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz of rotini or penne pasta. Cook according to package instructions, usually 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain well in a colander and rinse under cold water to cool and stop cooking. Set aside to drain completely (about 5 minutes).
  2. While pasta cooks, whisk together 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tsp Dijon mustard in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Adjust sweetness or acidity as needed.
  3. Dice 1 small cucumber, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, and dice 1/2 red bell pepper if using. Chop 1/4 cup fresh parsley and 2 tbsp fresh basil finely.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped veggies, and herbs. Pour the lemon herb vinaigrette over the top. Gently toss everything together until evenly coated. Add more olive oil or lemon juice if salad feels dry.
  5. Crumble 3/4 cup feta cheese over the salad and fold in carefully. Add optional sliced olives or toasted nuts for extra texture and flavor. Toss gently once more.
  6. Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Bring it out about 10 minutes before eating to take the chill off.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool. Add feta cheese just before serving to prevent sogginess. Salad tastes better after chilling and even better the next day. Use gluten-free pasta or dairy-free cheese alternatives for dietary adaptations.

Nutrition

Keywords: summer pasta salad, lemon herb vinaigrette, feta cheese, easy pasta salad, outdoor meals, fresh herbs, quick salad

Find it online: https://cooksyla.com/fresh-easy-summer-pasta-salad-recipe-with-lemon-herb-vinaigrette-and-feta-perfect-for-outdoor-meals/