Meaty Asparagus Pasta Salad with Meat

Elevate your pasta salad game with this hearty Meaty Asparagus Pasta Salad with Meat—a perfect blend of tender penne pasta, crisp sautéed asparagus, and your choice of juicy chicken or flavorful steak. This vibrant dish is tossed in a tangy lemon-honey Dijon vinaigrette and complemented by bursts of sweetness from cherry tomatoes, savory shaved Parmesan, and fresh parsley. Ready in just 40 minutes, this protein-packed salad is versatile enough to serve warm, chilled, or at room temperature. Ideal for meal prep, potlucks, or a satisfying weeknight dinner, this dish delivers a perfect balance of protein, vegetables, and bold flavors. Keywords: meaty pasta salad, asparagus pasta salad, protein-packed recipes, pasta salad with chicken, pasta salad with steak, easy dinner recipes.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz Penne pasta
• 1 lb Asparagus
• 1 lb Boneless chicken breasts or steak
• 4 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1 tsp Honey
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves Garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese (shaved)
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, trim the woody ends off the asparagus and cut the spears into 2-inch pieces.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and sauté for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove and set aside.

Step 4

Season the chicken breasts or steak with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. In the same skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Cook the meat for 6-8 minutes per side (depending on thickness) or until fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F for chicken or 145°F for steak). Remove, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into bite-sized strips.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper to make the tangy vinaigrette.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sautéed asparagus, cherry tomatoes, sliced meat, and half of the shaved Parmesan cheese. Pour the vinaigrette over the mixture and toss until well combined.

Step 7

Transfer the pasta salad to a serving dish. Garnish with the remaining Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Step 8

Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. Enjoy your Meaty Asparagus Pasta Salad with Meat!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1627.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3076.6

Total Fat 108.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.5g
Cholesterol 465.6mg	0%
Sodium 4395.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 287.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.4g	0%
Total Sugars 19.0g
Protein 235.4g	0%

Vitamin D 83.0IU	0%
Calcium 1552.9mg	0%
Iron 28.6mg	0%
Potassium 3359.3mg	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: 31.8%

Protein: 30.7%

Carbs: 37.5%