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Lemon Summer Pasta Salad Recipe

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3.9 from 1 review

A refreshing and vibrant Lemon Summer Pasta Salad featuring penne pasta, fresh vegetables, tangy lemon dressing, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for warm-weather gatherings, this salad combines crisp cucumbers, sweet baby tomatoes, colorful peppers, and fresh dill tossed in a zesty lemon-honey Dijon vinaigrette.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 pound penne pasta (dry) (16 oz, 4 cups)

Vegetables

  • 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
  • 1 pint baby tomatoes, halved
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 1 green pepper, diced
  • ½ cup red onion, diced
  • Fresh dill, chopped (for garnish and mixing)

Dressing

  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 6 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cheese

  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook The Pasta: Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta but do not rinse it to retain flavor and starch for better dressing absorption. Allow it to cool slightly before assembling.
  2. Make the Dressing: While the pasta cooks, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are well emulsified. Alternatively, you can place all dressing ingredients in a glass jar and shake vigorously to mix. Set the dressing aside.
  3. Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced cucumber, halved baby tomatoes, diced red and green peppers, diced red onion, half of the prepared dressing, Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh dill. Stir gently to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing.
  4. Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the assembled salad for at least 2 hours. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld and the salad to become refreshingly cool.
  5. Serve: Before serving, toss the chilled salad with the remaining dressing to enhance the flavor. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with extra fresh dill for a vibrant finish.

Notes

  • Do not rinse pasta after cooking to help the dressing adhere better.
  • Chill the salad for at least 2 hours to let the flavors develop fully.
  • Adjust the amount of lemon juice and honey to suit your taste preferences.
  • Use fresh herbs like dill for best flavor.
  • This salad is best served cold and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://iamstarved.com/lemon-summer-pasta-salad-recipe/