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A close-up of a vibrant asparagus pasta salad in a white bowl, featuring fusilli pasta, fresh green asparagus spears, and red cherry tomatoes.
Reda

Zesty Lemon Herb Asparagus Pasta Salad

A vibrant and refreshing pasta salad featuring tender-crisp asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and creamy feta, all tossed in a bright lemon-herb vinaigrette. Perfect for spring gatherings or a light lunch.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta Salad
  • 12 oz Short pasta e.g., rotini, fusilli, penne
  • 1 lb Fresh asparagus woody ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup Cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup Red onion finely diced
  • 1/2 cup Feta cheese crumbled
  • 1/4 cup Fresh parsley chopped
For the Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
  • 1/2 cup Extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp Fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove Garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper freshly ground

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

Cook the Pasta and Asparagus
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. About 3 minutes before the pasta is done, add the trimmed asparagus pieces to the boiling water with the pasta.
  2. Drain the pasta and asparagus in a colander. Rinse briefly with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them down. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Prepare the Vinaigrette
  1. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until well combined and emulsified.
Assemble the Salad
  1. To the bowl with the cooled pasta and asparagus, add the halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh parsley.
  2. Pour the lemon herb vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  3. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

This salad is excellent for meal prep! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also add grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein, or toasted pine nuts for a crunch.