Name: Easy Pasta Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: . Pasta Salad Ingredients; 3 cups uncooked fusilli pasta; 2 heaping cups halved cherry tomatoes; 1.5 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); 0.5 cup minced fresh parsley; 0.5 cup chopped fresh mint leaves; 0.25 cup toasted pine nuts; . Dressing Ingredients; 0.25 cup extra-virgin olive oil (plus more for drizzling); 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence or dried Italian seasoning; 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 0.75 teaspoon sea salt

Welcome to your new favorite dish, Easy Pasta Salad! This vibrant and fresh salad is perfect for any occasion, whether it's a picnic or a family dinner. Let's dive into the deliciousness!

Tips for Perfection

Make sure to let your pasta cool before mixing it with the dressing. This part’s so satisfying as the flavors meld together!

Why You’ll Love It

With its mix of textures and flavors from fresh veggies and herbs, this salad is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes!

Ingredients

Instructions

Cooking the Pasta:
Step 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.
Making the Dressing:
Step 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).
Combining Everything:
Step 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: 320, Fat: 15g, Carbs: 40g, Protein: 10g

Cooking techniques

Boiling pasta is essential to achieving the perfect texture. Remember to salt your water generously!

Variations or substitutions

Feel free to swap out the chickpeas for another protein like grilled chicken or tofu. You can also use any seasonal vegetables you have on hand!

Storage tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to develop as it sits!

Notes

For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta!