Pasta Salad with Lemon and Basil Vinaigrette

Incorporate this bright and invigorating Lemon Basil Pasta Salad into your summer menu! This pasta salad is light, full of flavor, and loaded with fresh vegetables. It’s an ideal side dish to take to your next barbecue or picnic, and it also makes for a nutritious weeknight meal!

Alright, I have the ultimate pasta salad for summer! This refreshing and light Lemon Basil Pasta Salad recipe is inspired by my favorite ready-made pasta salad from Trader Joe’s, which I found myself purchasing weekly. You’re going to enjoy the vibrant flavors in this pasta salad, and it’s packed with fresh summer produce like zucchini, green peas, and other quality ingredients, complemented by herby basil and shaved parmesan cheese. The lemon vinaigrette serves as an excellent salad dressing or marinade too! Every bite is bursting with flavor!

Why You’ll Adore This

• Simple and quick – this pasta salad recipe can be whipped up in under 30 minutes with just a handful of ingredients.
• Light and nutritious – bright notes of lemon, garlic, and basil combined with fresh veggies like zucchini and peas make this a perfect healthy meal.
• Adaptable – personalize this pasta salad by using your preferred vegetables, adding protein, or swapping in herbs and spices that you enjoy.
• Ideal for summer – not a heavy pasta dish, and you’ll appreciate the fresh, crisp, and tangy flavors. Perfect for summer celebrations and barbecues!

Ingredients for the Pasta Salad

• pasta – I opted for farfalle pasta (bowtie), but you can choose any curly or corkscrew pasta like rotini, cavatappi, or fusilli. The shapes help capture the dressing beautifully! Penne is also a great choice.
• zucchini + peas – these seasonal veggies contribute nutrition and a stunning pop of color to the salad.
• fresh basil – delivers the perfect flavor that complements the pasta salad beautifully. Fresh arugula or oregano would also be excellent additions!
• parmesan cheese – I prefer to thinly slice a high-quality parmesan wedge with a vegetable peeler, or you can simply grate fresh parmesan on top. Crumbled feta or asiago would be wonderful alternatives as well.

Ingredients for the Lemony Dressing

• olive oil – I recommend using a good extra-virgin olive oil that doesn’t need to be pricey, just ensure it’s cold-pressed and organic for maximum flavor.
• lemons – fresh lemon juice imparts a bright, fresh flavor; you’ll need about 2 lemons and some zest. Be sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice, as bottled varieties can taste bitter.
• white wine vinegar – adds a pleasant tangy flavor and a bit of zest to the salad. Apple cider vinegar or champagne vinegar can be used as alternatives.
• dijon mustard – contributes a little kick and helps to emulsify the dressing.
• honey – provides a touch of sweetness to the dressing without relying on refined sugars. You can replace honey with maple syrup or another natural sweetener.
• garlic – fresh minced garlic cloves or jarred minced garlic work well.
• shallots – I adore the light, sweet flavor of shallots in this salad! You could also substitute chopped red onion or green onions.
• salt + black pepper – essential for seasoning and enhancing the flavor of the pasta salad.

Steps to Prepare Lemon Basil Pasta Salad

1. Cook the pasta.  Boil a large pot of salted water and prepare the pasta per the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking.
2. Prepare the zucchini. Grate one medium zucchini using a box grater (around 1 1/2 cups) and gently squeeze out excess moisture with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
3. Craft the dressing.  While the pasta cooks, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, vinegar, dijon mustard, honey, garlic, shallots, salt, and pepper in a jar or small bowl, and whisk until smooth and creamy. Set aside until needed.
4. Mix the salad.  In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, grated zucchini, peas, fresh basil, and half of the lemon-basil vinaigrette, stirring well. Cover and chill the pasta salad for at least an hour before serving.
5. Serve and enjoy! Once ready to serve, allow the pasta salad to come to room temperature for about 20 minutes. Shake the remaining vinaigrette well and drizzle it over the salad, adding freshly shaved parmesan cheese.

Variations

Put your own twist on this lemon pasta salad by swapping out ingredients and introducing your favorite flavors!

• Incorporate protein – grilled chicken (or shredded), shrimp, salmon, and chicken sausage would all be delicious in this salad. You can also include chickpeas or white beans for a vegetarian twist.
• Extra vegetables – we’re using shredded zucchini and green peas, but cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, olives, artichokes, summer squash, asparagus, and broccoli are all excellent options.
• Greens – fresh arugula would taste fantastic with the lemon flavor, but you could also add chopped baby spinach or kale.
• Make it creamy – stir in a scoop of Greek yogurt or mayonnaise into the dressing for a creamy variation.
• Add a crunch – introduce pine nuts, chopped walnuts, or almonds for delightful crunch and texture.
• Gluten-free – to make this pasta salad gluten-free, simply use certified gluten-free pasta.

Serving Suggestions

This delicious pasta salad makes a hearty main dish, but it’s also a fantastic summer side! Here are some of my favorite dishes to pair with it:

Preparation and Storage

To prepare in advance: You can easily prepare this salad by cooking the pasta, shredding the zucchini, and making the lemon dressing a day ahead of assembly. Store everything in separate containers in the fridge.

For storage: Leftovers can be kept for up to 3 to 4 days in a sealed, airtight container in your fridge. I recommend saving a bit of extra dressing to drizzle over before eating leftovers, as the noodles and veggies can absorb a lot of the dressing.

More Pasta Salad Ideas

I hope you enjoy this simple pasta salad recipe, and if you love it as much as we do, please leave ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!