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Easy Pasta Salad for Summer Gatherings

Easy Pasta Salad for Summer Gatherings

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A fresh, make-ahead pasta salad loaded with vegetables and dressing.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups uncooked fusilli pasta
  • 2 heaping cups halved cherry tomatoes
  • cups cooked chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups arugula
  • 1 cup Persian cucumbers sliced into thin half moons
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves torn
  • ½ cup minced fresh parsley
  • ½ cup chopped fresh mint leaves
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 3 garlic cloves garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence or dried Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¾ teaspoon sea salt
  • extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling Optional for serving
  • whole basil leaves for garnish Optional for serving

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the pasta according to the package directions, or until slightly past al dente.
  2. Meanwhile, make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, herbes de Provence, red pepper flakes, and salt. (Note: the dressing will have a strong flavor, it’ll mellow once it coats all of the pasta salad ingredients).
  3. Drain the pasta, toss it with a little olive oil (so that it doesn’t stick together) and let it cool to room temp. Transfer to a large bowl with the tomatoes, chickpeas, arugula, cucumbers, feta cheese, basil, parsley, mint, and pine nuts. Pour the dressing and toss to coat. Season to taste with more lemon, salt, pepper, and/or a drizzle of olive oil, if desired, and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 15gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 600mgFiber: 8gSugar: 3g

Notes

Add a pinch of salt to the water for extra flavor in the pasta.

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