Lemon and Herb Pasta Salad

Bright, zesty, and bursting with fresh flavors, this Lemon and Herb Pasta Salad is the ultimate dish for warm-weather gatherings or light weekday meals. Featuring tender pasta tossed in a tangy lemon dressing made with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of honey, this salad is elevated with a medley of fresh herbs like parsley, basil, and dill. Crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, red onion, and optional crumbled feta cheese add layers of texture and vibrant color. Perfectly balanced and easy to prepare in just 25 minutes, this pasta salad can be served chilled or at room temperature, making it a versatile side dish or satisfying vegetarian main. Whether for a backyard barbecue or a family dinner, this refreshing recipe is guaranteed to impress with every bite!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta (rotini, penne, or bow tie)
• 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
• 2 tbsp fresh basil (chopped)
• 1 tbsp fresh dill (chopped)
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cup cucumber (diced)
• 0.25 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
• 0.5 cup feta cheese (crumbled, optional)
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)

Directions

Step 1

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water, then set aside to cool.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.

Step 3

Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing and toss until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 4

Gently mix in the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, basil, dill, and feta cheese (if using). Combine until well distributed.

Step 5

Taste the pasta salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or lemon juice, if needed.

Step 6

Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Serve chilled or at room temperature and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1129.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1520.5

Total Fat 85.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 26.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 106.8mg	0%
Sodium 2559.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 155.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.1g	0%
Total Sugars 39.0g
Protein 42.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 734.7mg	0%
Iron 6.1mg	0%
Potassium 1361.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.4%

Protein: 10.8%

Carbs: 39.9%