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Picture a bowl brimming with colorful vegetables, tender pasta, and a bright, tangy dressing that channels the best of the season. This Zesty Garden Summer Pasta Salad is a delicious way to celebrate hot days, backyard gatherings, or a light weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 8 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 cup sliced black olives
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped red onion
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
First, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add your pasta of choice and cook until al dente, following the package instructions. Drain, then rinse under cool running water to stop the cooking—this also helps keep the pasta from sticking together.
While the pasta cools, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. This simple dressing is bright enough to enhance the sweetness of summer tomatoes yet mild enough to let the fresh basil shine.
In a large serving bowl, toss together the drained pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and red onion. Drizzle the dressing over the top and gently fold everything together until well coated. Finish with crumbled feta and chopped basil, then taste for seasoning. If you want even more citrusy tang, add another squeeze of lemon.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld. The salad is delicious cold or at room temperature, making it a perfect dish to transport to picnics or enjoy hot from the kitchen on an especially busy day.
Finally, garnish with extra basil leaves and another drizzle of olive oil to add a touch of lushness before digging in.
This Zesty Garden Summer Pasta Salad is ideal for anyone who wants a bright, veggie-packed meal that’s quick to assemble and easy on the palate. It’s loaded with fresh produce, making it as colorful as it is nutritious. Feel free to substitute goat cheese for feta or add protein—grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas work wonderfully. The beauty of this salad lies in its versatility, so you can customize it to fit any dietary needs or preferences. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just yourself, this dish hits all the right notes of taste, convenience, and fresh summer flair.
