Celebrate the vibrant flavors of the season with this refreshing Springtime pasta salad, a delightful blend of colorful vegetables and tender pasta that¡¯s perfect for picnics, barbecues, or as a light meal. This dish showcases the best of spring produce, featuring crisp snap peas, sweet cherry tomatoes, and crunchy bell peppers, all tossed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette. With the addition of feta cheese and fresh herbs, each bite bursts with flavor and freshness. This pasta salad is not only visually appealing but also easy to prepare, making it a wonderful choice for entertaining or meal prepping for busy weeks ahead.
INGREDIENTS:
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? 8 ounces pasta (such as rotini or penne)
? 1 cup snap peas, trimmed and halved
? 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
? 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
? 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
? 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
? 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
? 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
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For the lemon vinaigrette:
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? 1/4 cup olive oil
? Juice of 1 lemon
? 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
? 1 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup)
? Salt and pepper to taste
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INSTRUCTIONS:
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1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. In the last 2
minutes of cooking, add the snap peas to the pot. Drain the pasta and peas, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
2. Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. Combine the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta and snap peas with the cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, feta cheese, parsley, and
basil. Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine.
4. Chill and serve: For best flavor, let the pasta salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.
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This Springtime Pasta Salad is not only refreshing and colorful but also incredibly versatile¡ªfeel free to add your favorite seasonal vegetables or proteins
to customize it to your taste. Perfect for spring gatherings, it¡¯s a dish that celebrates the season and is sure to delight your guests!
