Lemon Asparagus Pasta Salad (Printable View)
Bright pasta salad with tender asparagus, zesty lemon, and fresh herbs. Perfect for spring and summer gatherings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta & Vegetables
01 - 8 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
02 - 10 oz fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
→ Dressing
05 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
06 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
08 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
09 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
→ Fresh & Finishing
12 - 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
13 - 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional for garnish)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
02 - About 2 minutes before the pasta is done, add the asparagus to the boiling water with the pasta. Drain pasta and asparagus together and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.
04 - Add drained pasta and asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to coat.
05 - Stir in fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Serve at room temperature or chilled, garnished with grated parmesan if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The asparagus cooks right in the pasta water, which saves a pot and infuses every bite with spring flavor
- It actually tastes better after sitting for an hour, making it perfect for meal prep or parties
02 -
- Dont skip rinsing the pasta and asparagus under cold water, it stops the cooking process instantly and prevents the vegetables from turning mushy
- The salad needs at least 15 minutes to sit after tossing, which lets the pasta soak up the dressing and the flavors marry together
03 -
- Cut your asparagus into uniform pieces so everything cooks evenly in those final two minutes
- Reserve a small handful of parsley for garnish to make the finished dish look extra inviting