Description
This Healthy Creamy Pasta Salad is a delightful dish that combines tender pasta with a creamy, tangy dressing and a medley of fresh vegetables and herbs. It’s perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for a barbecue.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 lb. curly-shaped pasta (such as fusilli or gemelli)
Dressing:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise or full-fat Greek yogurt (avocado oil mayo)
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp. lemon zest, plus 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 lb. cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup frozen/thawed green peas
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 1 (3 to 4 oz.) can sliced black olives
- 3 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh chives
- 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and transfer to a large bowl.
- Prepare the Dressing: Mix mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a small bowl until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Add tomatoes, green peas, red onion, celery, olives, chives, and dill to the bowl with pasta. Pour dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for later.
Notes
- This salad can be customized with other vegetables like bell peppers or cucumbers.
- To make it vegan, use a plant-based mayo or yogurt alternative.
- Adjust the seasoning to suit your taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: Pasta Salad, Healthy Recipe, Creamy Dressing, Vegetarian, Easy, Quick
