Lemon Asparagus Pasta Salad (Printable)
Bright, refreshing pasta with tender asparagus and zesty lemon flavors
# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta & Vegetables
01 - 8 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
02 - 10 oz fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
→ Dressing
05 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
06 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
08 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
09 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
→ Fresh & Finishing
12 - 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
13 - 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional for garnish)
# Directions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. About 2 minutes before the pasta is done, add the asparagus to the boiling water with the pasta. Drain pasta and asparagus together and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth and emulsified.
03 - Add drained pasta and asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Stir in fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt and pepper if desired.
05 - Serve at room temperature or chilled, garnished with grated parmesan if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The bright lemon dressing cuts through the richness of any main dish making it the perfect side
- You can prep it hours ahead and it actually tastes better after the flavors meld together
02 -
- Rinsing your pasta under cold water stops the cooking process completely so nothing gets mushy
- The dressing needs to be whisked really well or it will separate leaving oil slicks on your pasta
03 -
- Use a microplane for the lemon zest it catches only the bright yellow part leaving behind any bitterness
- Cut your asparagus on a diagonal for prettier presentation and better texture in every bite