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Home » vegetarian » Pasta Salad with Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

Pasta Salad with Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

Published: May 19, 2018 · Modified: Mar 10, 2022 by Louisa Clements · This post may contain affiliate links

This post may contain affiliate links

A light and fresh pasta salad with lemon herb vinaigrette is the perfect pasta salad to make this summer.

A light and fresh pasta salad with lemon herb vinaigrette is the perfect pasta salad to make this summer. | livinglou.com
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30 minutes minutes 13 Comments

Pasta salad has always been one of my favourite dishes. I didn’t grow up with the mayonnaise-heavy versions you often see at weekend barbecues, the kind my mom has always made has a delicious and tangy herbed dressing. I took inspiration from my mom’s pasta salad to create this lemony herb version.

Most pasta salads hold up pretty well in the fridge for a few days, but because this recipe uses spinach, I find that it’s best within the first two of days, otherwise the spinach will begin to get a little soggy. Another option would be to leave the spinach out until just before serving, that way you completely avoid the potentially soggy spinach situation.

The vinaigrette is super simple, a combination of garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, dried oregano, dried basil and olive oil. Of course there’s salt and pepper in there too, but that’s a given.

A light and fresh pasta salad with lemon herb vinaigrette is the perfect pasta salad to make this summer. | livinglou.com

I love to serve this pasta salad as a side dish for pretty much any kind of barbecue, but I find it goes particularly well with Greek grilled chicken or grilled salmon.

It’s so easy to go overboard with the mix-ins for pasta salad, but for this recipe I wanted to keep it relatively simple, bell peppers are a given. I love the crunch they add here.

The first time I tested this recipe, I left out the red onion, but I found without the red onion, the pasta salad was missing a bit of zing. I’m a huge fan of olives, so I used some incredibly savoury and delicious Kalamata olives in here, but you could leave them out if you’re not a fan.

Feta and red onion makes up the rest of our cast of characters. And of course, pasta! I love penne in pasta salad because that’s what I grew up with, but I think bowtie pasta would be super cute here as well.

A light and fresh pasta salad with lemon herb vinaigrette is the perfect pasta salad to make this summer. | livinglou.com

If you’re heading to any summer potlucks this year, this would be the perfect dish. It’s vegetarian, easy and a crowd pleaser. My Mediterranean pasta salad recipe is also a winner, if you want something a little different.

With this being our first long weekend and the ‘unofficial’ kickoff of summer, I feel like this is the perfect recipe to get you ready for summer cooking. Simple, fresh and flavourful, just the way I like it.

A light and fresh pasta salad with lemon herb vinaigrette is the perfect pasta salad to make this summer. | livinglou.com

Pasta Salad with Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

Author: Louisa Clements
4.49 from 25 votes
A light and fresh pasta salad with lemon herb vinaigrette is the perfect pasta salad to make this summer.
Pin Print
Prep: 20 minutes minutes
Cook: 10 minutes minutes
Total: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

For Lemon Herb Vinaigrette:

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest

For pasta salad:

  • ½ lb penne pasta, 225g
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 small bell peppers, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup crumbled feta
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, halved
  • ¼ red onion, thinly sliced

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. In a small bowl or mason jar, combine all ingredients for lemon herb vinaigrette. Once pasta is cooked, drain and toss warm pasta with dressing to avoid it clumping together. Allow pasta to cool.
  • In a large bowl, combine cooled, dressed pasta with spinach, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, feta, olives and red onion.

Notes

If making ahead of time, omit the spinach and mix in just before serving. 
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment + rating and let me know what you think!
Filed Under: easy, lunch, Pasta, salad, Summer, vegetarian
Nutrition Facts
Pasta Salad with Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
Amount Per Serving
Calories 296 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 11mg4%
Sodium 524mg23%
Potassium 301mg9%
Carbohydrates 35g12%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 2409IU48%
Vitamin C 62mg75%
Calcium 107mg11%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is an estimate and is provided for informational purposes only. If you have any specific dietary concerns, please consult with your healthcare practitioner.

Let me know if you give this pasta salad with lemon herb vinaigrette a try in the comments below. 

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4.49 from 25 votes (23 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Alicia

    May 16, 2022 at 2:01 am

    unbelievably delicious easy to make in minutes thank you💕

    5 stars

    Reply
    • Louisa Clements

      July 16, 2022 at 10:28 am

      I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Alicia! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know, happy cooking!
      Reply
  2. Mandy

    October 15, 2021 at 12:22 pm

    This is an Awesome Pasta Salad. Thanks 4 the recipe!

    5 stars

    Reply
    • Louisa Clements

      October 20, 2021 at 8:22 pm

      So glad you enjoyed this, Mandy! Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
      Reply
  3. Cheri Walker

    March 02, 2020 at 12:45 pm

    12 tsp lemon zest??? Assuming you meant 1/2 tsp (12 tsp = 4 Tablespoons)
    Reply
    • Louisa Clements

      March 03, 2020 at 8:57 am

      Hi Cheri--oops! You're right, it should be 1/2 tsp--thanks for catching this. :) I hope you enjoy the recipe!
      Reply
  4. Kristina

    October 28, 2019 at 12:49 pm

    Amazing dressing! Thanks for the recipe!
    Reply
    • Louisa Clements

      November 10, 2019 at 10:04 am

      Glad you enjoyed it, Kristina! Thanks for letting me know.
      Reply
  5. Sarah

    June 04, 2019 at 8:58 am

    With summer coming up, I'm on the lookout for pasta salads to try. I love pasta salads but I tend to make the same one every time. This one looks delicious. Love all the colors of vegetables and how simple it all is. Going to give this one a try.
    Reply
    • Louisa Clements

      June 16, 2019 at 1:09 pm

      Thank you Sarah, I hope you enjoy!
      Reply
  6. Sarah

    May 16, 2019 at 12:08 pm

    Yum, does this look good. I love pasta salads. I feel like I could eat them every day all summer long. Really loving the variety of ingredients and colors with this one. Will have to give it a try.
    Reply
    • Louisa Clements

      June 16, 2019 at 1:12 pm

      Thank you Sarah! This is my favourite way to eat pasta salad.
      Reply

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Hi, I'm Louisa Clements & welcome to Living Lou. I've been creating simple, fresh & flavorful recipes for the modern kitchen for 14 years.
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