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Fresh Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Moist and Flavorful for Summer Meals

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A quick and easy fresh pasta salad that stays moist and flavorful, perfect for summer meals, picnics, and gatherings. This recipe uses simple ingredients and a special technique to keep every bite juicy and delicious.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces short pasta (rotini, fusilli, or farfalle)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/3 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or parsley
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the pasta in a colander, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water.
  2. While the pasta cooks, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  3. Return the drained pasta to the pot or place it in a large mixing bowl. While still warm, pour about half of the dressing over the pasta and toss gently to coat. Add 2-3 tablespoons of reserved pasta water to help the dressing cling and keep the pasta moist.
  4. Gently fold in the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. Toss lightly to combine without bruising the vegetables.
  5. Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley over the salad. Drizzle the remaining dressing on top and toss once more just before serving. Adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
  6. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. If chilled, toss again before serving and add a teaspoon of olive oil if the salad seems dry.

Notes

Toss pasta with warm dressing and reserved pasta water to keep salad moist. Avoid overcooking pasta to prevent mushiness. Soak chopped onion in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow sharpness if desired. Prepare dressing before pasta is done for efficiency. Toss salad again before serving if chilled and add olive oil or lemon juice if dry.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, fresh pasta salad, summer salad, easy pasta salad, picnic salad, rotini salad, fusilli salad, farfalle salad, healthy pasta salad

Find it online: https://snappyspoon.com/fresh-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-moist-and-flavorful-for-summer-meals/