Vibrant Pasta Salad with Herby Vinaigrette in 30 Minutes
This vibrant pasta salad combines fresh vegetables with a herby vinaigrette, making it a quick and delightful dish for any occasion.
Equipment
- - Large pot
- small bowl
- - Large bowl
- Whisk
- - Colander
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 8 oz Fusilli Pasta Feel free to use any pasta you love
For the Salad
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Grape or heirloom tomatoes work too
- 1 cup Cooked Chickpeas Cannellini beans can be swapped in
- 2 cups Arugula Substitute with spinach or mixed greens if desired
- 1 cup Persian Cucumbers Use any cucumber variety and remove seeds for larger types
- 1 cup Feta Cheese Goat cheese is a great substitute
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil Leaves Fresh parsley or dill can be used instead
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley Cilantro or oregano can replace it
- 1/4 cup Fresh Mint Leaves Feel free to omit or replace with cilantro
- 1/4 cup Toasted Pine Nuts Walnuts are a good substitute
For the Dressing
- 1/4 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Avocado oil can be used as an alternative
- 2 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice Lime juice can be used instead
- 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard Yellow mustard works too
- 2 cloves Garlic Minced
- 1 tsp Herbes de Provence Dried herbs can be substituted
- 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes Omit if you prefer a milder flavor
- 1 tsp Sea Salt Kosher or table salt are alternatives
Instructions
How to Make Easy Pasta Salad
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli pasta and cook until slightly past al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, herbes de Provence, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of sea salt until well combined.
- Once the pasta is cooled, toss it with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. In a large bowl, mix the pasta with cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, arugula, cucumbers, feta cheese, basil, parsley, mint, and toasted pine nuts.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasonings with additional lemon juice, salt, or olive oil, if desired.
- Enjoy your vibrant pasta salad immediately, or refrigerate it for later. Just remember to add the fresh herbs and pine nuts right before serving for the best texture!
Notes
Prepare this salad a day in advance to allow flavors to meld beautifully. Add delicate ingredients just before serving to maintain their texture and taste.