Lemon Asparagus Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish to any meal, or it can be a meal all by itself. It’s quick, simple, and delicious. The light lemon dressing wonderfully coats a combination of pasta, blanched asparagus, red onion, pistachios, and flavorful herbs. If you are vegan, the honey can be replaced with maple syrup.
Though the recipe is pretty straightforward, it is crucial not to overcook the delicate stalks of asparagus. An easy way to prevent this is to shock the asparagus in an ice bath. In fact, you should remove asparagus from the boiling water and immediately transfer the veggies to a bowl filled with icy water. The ice-cold water will stop the cooking process and help set the bright green color and crisp texture.
To make the Lemon Asparagus Pasta Salad, you will need the following ingredients:
Cook 8 ounces pasta according to the package directions.
Once cooked, drain and run under cold water. Shake off as much water as possible and transfer to a large salad bowl.
Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add 1 cup chopped asparagus and blanche for 2-3 minutes.
Once cooked, immediately transfer to a bowl with ice water. Then drain and add to the salad bowl too.
In a mason jar, combine ¼ cup lemon juice, ¼ olive oil, 1 minced clove garlic, 1 teaspoon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup to keep it vegan, 1 pinch salt, and 1 pinch black pepper. Close the jar tightly and shake vigorously.
To the bowl of pasta and asparagus, add 2 tablespoons chopped red onion, 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios, 1 handful chopped basil, and 1 handful chopped parsley.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well until well coated.
Serve at room temperature or chilled and enjoy!
This healthy Lemon Asparagus Pasta Salad recipe is the easiest way to add some green to your table. Give it a go soon, and please come back to tell us what you think!
Superb dish, really!
This Lemon Asparagus Pasta Salad was super easy to make. My family loved it at our picnic!
So simple, delicious. Made this for a summer picnic, everyone loved it. Perfect balance of flavors.
Fresh, simple, yum.
Superb. I made this dish for a family barbecue and everyone loved it. The lemony flavor really brightened up the meal. I even swapped honey for maple syrup, and it was perfect. Now, it’s my go-to dish for summer gatherings. Thank you for the easy and delicious recipe.
Super easy salad
OMG, this Lemon Asparagus Pasta Salad is just fab! Made it for my weekend brunch, and everyone loved it! The lemony zing is so refreshing, and it was super easy. Just don’t skimp on the ice bath for the asparagus – keeps it crunchy! Def gonna make again!
Superb! I made this salad for a family gathering, and it was a hit! The fresh lemon flavor and crispy asparagus made it special. Even my kids loved it, and I felt great serving something healthy.
¡Deliciosa! Hice esta ensalada de pasta para una reunión y todos la adoraron. La combinación de limón y espárragos es simplemente perfecta. Aunque nunca había cocido espárragos antes, seguí tu consejo del baño helado y quedaron crujientes. Muchas gracias por esta receta tan fácil y sabrosa.
Amazing! This Lemon Asparagus Pasta Salad is my new go-to for summer picnics. I made it last week for our backyard BBQ, and everyone went crazy over it. The lemony goodness and crunch of asparagus are just perfect! Can't wait to make it again soon!
Family loved it
This Lemon Asparagus Pasta Salad is totes amazing! Made it for a family BBQ last weekend and everyone was raving! Super easy to whip up, and those crisp asparagus stalks were on point. Def gonna make this again for our next get-together! Yum!
It's the perfect side dish to bring to a backyard barbecue or potluck! Thanks!
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