Pasta Salad with Lemon and Basil Vinaigrette

Incorporate this bright and tangy Lemon Basil Pasta Salad into your summer menu! This pasta salad is rejuvenating, tasty, and filled with fresh vegetables. An ideal side dish to take along to your next barbecue or picnic, it also makes for a nutritious weeknight meal!

So here it is—the ultimate summer pasta salad! This light and refreshing Lemon Basil Pasta Salad recipe is inspired by my favorite pre-packaged pasta salad from Trader Joe’s that I ended up buying every week. You’ll adore the vibrant flavors in this pasta salad, packed with fresh summer vegetables like zucchini, green peas, and other seasonal ingredients, all complemented by fragrant basil and shaved parmesan cheese. The lemon vinaigrette serves as an excellent dressing or marinade too! Bursting with flavor in every mouthful!

Why You’ll Adore This

• Quick and simple – this pasta salad recipe comes together in under 30 minutes with just a handful of uncomplicated ingredients.
• Light and nutritious – the refreshing tastes of lemon, garlic, and basil combined with fresh veggies like zucchini and peas make this the ideal healthy dish.
• Customizable – personalize this pasta salad by using your favorite vegetables, incorporating some protein, or varying the herbs and spices you enjoy most.
• Ideal for summer – this is a light pasta dish, and you’ll appreciate the fresh, crisp, and tangy flavors. Perfect for summer gatherings and cookouts!

Pasta Salad Components

• pasta – I used farfalle pasta (also known as bowtie pasta), but feel free to opt for any curly or corkscrew pasta like rotini, cavatappi, or fusilli. The shapes in the pasta are perfect for holding onto the dressing! Penne also works wonderfully.
• zucchini + peas – these seasonal veggies add nutrients to the pasta salad and a lovely vibrant color.
• fresh basil – provides the ideal flavor that complements this pasta salad beautifully. Fresh arugula or oregano would also be fantastic additions!
• parmesan cheese – I prefer to thinly slice a high-quality wedge of parmesan cheese using a vegetable peeler, or you can simply grate fresh parmesan on top. Crumbled feta or asiago cheese could also work nicely.

Lemon Dressing Components

• olive oil – I prefer a good extra-virgin olive oil that doesn’t have to be pricey; just make sure it’s cold-pressed and organic for optimum flavor.
• lemons – fresh lemon juice contributes a bright, fresh flavor, and you’ll need about 2 lemons plus some zest. Just ensure you use freshly squeezed lemon juice since bottled lemon juice can be bitter.
• white wine vinegar – adds a pleasing tang and zestiness to the salad. You could also use apple cider or champagne vinegar.
• dijon mustard – introduces a bit of zing and aids in emulsifying the dressing.
• honey – brings sweetness to the dressing without refined sugars. You could swap the honey for maple syrup or another natural sweetener.
• garlic – you can use freshly chopped garlic cloves or minced garlic from a jar.
• shallots – I adore the mild, sweet flavor of shallots in this dish! Chopped red onions or green onions would also work well.
• salt + black pepper – essential for seasoning and enhancing the flavor of the pasta salad.

Preparing Lemon Basil Pasta Salad

1. Cook the pasta.  Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to halt the cooking process.
2. Prep the zucchini. Grate one medium zucchini using a box grater (you should get about 1 1/2 cups) and gently squeeze out the excess water with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
3. Prepare the dressing.  While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, vinegar, dijon mustard, honey, garlic, shallots, salt, and pepper in a jar or small bowl until smooth and creamy. Set aside until ready for use.
4. Toss the salad.  In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, grated zucchini, peas, fresh basil, and half of the lemon-basil vinaigrette, mixing thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least an hour before serving.
5. Serve and enjoy! When it’s time to serve, allow the pasta salad to come to room temperature for about 20 minutes. Shake the remaining vinaigrette well and drizzle over the salad along with the freshly shaved parmesan cheese.

Variations

Customize this lemon pasta salad by altering the ingredients and incorporating your preferred flavors!

• Add protein – grilled chicken (or shredded chicken), cooked shrimp, salmon, or chicken sausage would be delightful in this pasta salad. You could also incorporate chickpeas or white beans for a vegetarian twist.
• Extra veggies – we’re using shredded zucchini and green peas, but cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, olives, artichoke hearts, summer squash, asparagus, and broccoli all make excellent additions.
• Greens – fresh arugula would be delicious in this salad with all the lemon flavor, or you could throw in chopped baby spinach or kale.
• Make it creamy – mix in a spoonful of Greek yogurt or mayo with the dressing for a creamy variation.
• Make it crunchy – feel free to toss in some pine nuts, chopped walnuts, or chopped almonds for a delightful crunch and texture.
• Gluten-free – for a gluten-free option, simply use certified gluten-free pasta of your choice.

How to Present

This flavorful pasta salad functions as a filling main dish, but also serves beautifully as a summer side! Here are some of my favorite recipes to pair with this salad:

Preparation and Storage

To prep in advance: You can easily prepare this salad ahead of time by cooking the pasta, shredding the zucchini, and making the lemon dressing up to a day before assembly. Just keep everything in separate containers in the fridge.

To store: Leftovers will remain fresh for up to 3 to 4 days in a sealed, airtight container in your fridge. I like to keep a little extra dressing to drizzle over before enjoying leftovers, as the pasta and veggies tend to absorb a lot of the dressing.

More Pasta Salad Recipes

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