Zesty Lemon Herb Pasta Salad

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 10 min
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
Be the First to Review!

Need a quick, refreshing dish to brighten up your meal? This Zesty Lemon Herb Pasta Salad is a simple, vibrant dish that brings together fresh herbs, tangy lemon, and crunchy veggies. Perfect for a summer picnic or a light lunch, it's both colorful and satisfying.

Ingredients for Zesty Lemon Herb Pasta Salad

Elbow macaroni serves as the perfect base, holding onto the dressing and providing a satisfying bite. The cherry tomatoes add juicy sweetness, while the cucumber brings a refreshing crunch. Red onion gives a sharp, savory contrast; meanwhile, black olives add a briny depth. Fresh herbs like parsley and basil introduce vibrant, aromatic notes. Feta cheese offers a creamy, tangy finish. The dressing, made with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest, ties everything together with a zesty punch. Don't forget the garlic, salt, and black pepper to enhance all these flavors.

Tips & Tricks

  • Feel free to swap the elbow macaroni with your favorite pasta shape, like rotini or farfalle, for a fun twist.
  • If you’re not a fan of olives, capers make an excellent substitute with similar briny notes.
  • To save time, prep the veggies and dressing while the pasta cooks.

Serving Suggestions

This pasta salad is delightful on its own or as a side dish. Pair it with grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal. It’s also a fantastic addition to a picnic spread or potluck buffet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, it's often better the next day as the flavors have more time to develop.
How long will this salad keep in the fridge?
It should stay fresh for about 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container.
Is there a way to make this salad vegan?
Yes, just skip the feta cheese or replace it with a vegan cheese option.

Zesty Lemon Herb Pasta Salad Recipe Walkthrough

Start by cooking the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Once it's al dente, drain the pasta and give it a good rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. This will help keep the pasta from getting mushy in the salad.

Now, grab a large bowl and toss in the cooled pasta along with the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, parsley, and basil. Give everything a gentle mix so the ingredients are evenly distributed.

In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Pour this zesty dressing over your bowl of pasta and veggies.

Toss the salad again to ensure that the dressing coats every nook and cranny. Scatter the feta cheese over the top and gently fold it in, being careful not to crumble it too much.

For the best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting time lets the flavors meld beautifully.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Packed with fresh, bright flavors that wake up your taste buds.
  • Quick and easy to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
  • A great way to use up leftover veggies in your fridge.
  • Perfect for meal prep — flavors deepen as it sits.

Ingredients

8 oz elbow macaroni
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup black olives, sliced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions, then rinse with cold water and drain.
2. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, parsley, and basil.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.
4. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine.
5. Add feta cheese and gently mix.
6. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavors.

Ratings and Comments

Thank you for your rating!