Description
This Lemon Herb Creamy Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish perfect for barbecues or a light lunch. It features a creamy dressing lightened with Greek yogurt and bursting with fresh herbs and lemon zest.
Ingredients
Scale
- 250 g (9 oz) Rotini Pasta
- 120 g (½ cup) Mayonnaise
- 120 g (½ cup) Plain Greek Yogurt
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp (5 ml) Lemon Zest
- 1 Clove Garlic, Minced
- 1 tsp (5 ml) Dijon Mustard
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- 5 ml (1 tsp) Honey or Agave Syrup (optional)
- 2.5 ml (½ tsp) Smoked Paprika
- 2.5 ml (½ tsp) Ground Cumin
- 1.25 ml (¼ tsp) Black Pepper
- 2.5 ml (½ tsp) Sea Salt
- 75 g (½ cup) Diced Cucumber
- 75 g (½ cup) Halved Cherry Tomatoes
- 40 g (¼ cup) Chopped Red Bell Pepper
- 30 g (¼ cup) Chopped Fresh Parsley
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) Chopped Fresh Mint
- 15 g (2 tbsp) Toasted Pine Nuts
- 5 g (1 tbsp) Edible Flower Petals
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil rotini until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- Chill & Dry: Drain, rinse with cold water, and thoroughly dry the pasta.
- Make Dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, zest, garlic, mustard, oil, honey (if using), paprika, cumin, pepper, and salt.
- Combine & Coat: Toss pasta with cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, parsley, and mint, then coat with dressing.
- Chill & Marinate: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Plate & Garnish: Serve chilled, garnished with olive oil, pine nuts, and flower petals.
Notes
For optimal flavor, chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. Feel free to adjust the spices to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Cold
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: pasta salad, lemon, herbs, creamy, summer, side dish, picnic, barbecue