Fresh Pasta Salad: Quick, Colorful & Picnic-Ready Delight
This vibrant pasta salad features colorful ingredients and is perfect for summer picnics, combining flavors in under 30 minutes.
Equipment
- - Large pot
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 8 ounces Fusilli Pasta any pasta shape can be used
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes diced bell peppers can be used as a substitute
- 1 cup Cooked Chickpeas canned or fresh beans, or white beans can be used
- 2 cups Arugula can substitute with spinach or kale
- 1 cup Persian Cucumbers regular cucumbers are an alternative
- 1/2 cup Feta Cheese tofu or dairy-free feta for a vegan twist
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil Leaves cilantro can be substituted
- 1/4 cup Minced Fresh Parsley can substitute with chives or omit
- 1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Mint Leaves can skip if not preferred
- 1/4 cup Toasted Pine Nuts walnuts can be used or omit for nut-free
For the Dressing
- 1/3 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil avocado oil is a substitute
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice vinegar can also be used
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard mustard powder can be an alternative
- 2 cloves Minced Garlic can use garlic powder as a substitute
- 1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence Italian seasoning can replace this
- 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes adjust to spice preference
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt kosher salt is a substitute
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Once it reaches a rolling boil, add the fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions until slightly past al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, grab a bowl and whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, herbes de Provence, red pepper flakes, and sea salt until combined and creamy.
- Once the pasta is tender, drain it well and toss it with a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking. Allow it to cool to room temperature for about 10 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, arugula, cucumbers, feta cheese, basil, parsley, mint, and toasted pine nuts.
- Pour the zesty dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra lemon or salt if needed before serving.
Notes
Allow your pasta salad to chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving for better flavor integration. This dish can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance.