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zesty lemon herb pasta salad

Name: zesty lemon herb pasta salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked pasta (fusilli or rotini); Juice and zest of 1 lemon; 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/2 cucumber, diced; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 tsp sea salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp maple syrup; 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

👨‍🍳 Chefy Tip: Strong pasta salt tastes like the finished dish before you add anything else. Never rinse pasta — you wash away the starch that holds the dressing. Add herbs last, not in the dressing — oil extracts flavor from basil and parsley, water doesn't.

Serves

Prep

10 min

Cook

15 min

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget-Friendly

Calories

250

Carbs

40g

Protein

Fat

10g

Flavor Profile

🍋 Tangy and bright from the fresh lemon

🌿 Fresh and aromatic from the herbs

🥗 Crunchy and colorful from the vegetables

🧴 Smooth and bright from the lemon-balsamic dressing

🍝 Light and satisfying from the pasta

Ingredients

🍝 2 cups cooked pasta (fusilli or rotini)

🍋 Juice and zest of 1 lemon

🌿 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

🌿 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

🥗 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

🥒 1/2 cucumber, diced

🧴 3 tbsp olive oil

🧂 1/2 tsp sea salt

🌶️ 1/4 tsp black pepper

🍁 1 tbsp maple syrup

🧴 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Shop ingredients

Instructions

Cook pasta per package instructions. Drain and let cool.

Whisk together lemon juice, zest, olive oil, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Combine pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, basil, and parsley. Pour dressing over and toss well. Serve immediately or refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

🧬 Food Science

Lemon has been used in Mediterranean cooking for centuries, prized for its versatility and health benefits. Research shows that the antioxidants in lemons may improve gut health and support digestive function.

Pair It

🥂 Pair with sparkling water with a splash of lime or a cold glass of iced tea.

🍽️ Pair with a side of grilled salmon or a simple green salad.