Spring Garden Pasta Salad (Printable Version)

Colorful pasta mixed with spring veggies and a bright lemon-herb dressing for a fresh, easy meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz short pasta such as fusilli, penne, or farfalle

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small head broccoli, cut into small florets
03 - 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
06 - 1 small cucumber, diced

→ Dressing

07 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

14 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
15 - 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
02 - In the last 2 minutes of pasta cooking, add the broccoli florets and peas to the pot. Drain everything together and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dill, parsley, salt, and pepper until well emulsified.
04 - Add the drained pasta, broccoli, peas, cherry tomatoes, spring onions, and cucumber to the bowl with dressing. Toss gently to ensure all components are evenly coated.
05 - Transfer to a serving platter or bowl. Sprinkle with feta cheese and pine nuts if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 hours to allow flavors to develop.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish
  • Packed with nutritious spring vegetables and fresh herbs
  • Perfect for meal prep, picnics, potlucks, or light lunches
  • Vegetarian-friendly with easy vegan adaptations
  • The zesty lemon-herb dressing is light yet flavorful
  • Beautiful presentation that looks as good as it tastes
02 -
  • Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant for maximum flavor
  • Reserve a small amount of pasta cooking water to thin the dressing if needed
  • Let the salad sit for 15-30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to develop
  • For meal prep, store the dressing separately and toss just before serving to keep everything fresh
  • Use a variety of colorful cherry tomatoes (red, yellow, orange) for visual appeal
  • Adjust the lemon juice and seasoning to taste just before serving, as flavors mellow when chilled
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