Description
Herbed Pea and Lemon Pasta Salad is a light, fresh, and flavorful dish combining zesty lemon juice, sweet fresh peas, creamy plant-based cheese, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for lunches, picnics, or as a refreshing side, this salad offers a bright and creamy texture with vibrant green goodness and subtle garlic undertones.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 200g cooked short pasta (fusilli or penne)
- 1 cup fresh peas
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (natural)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese, cubed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (natural)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the short pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process and keep the pasta tender but firm.
- Prepare the Fresh Peas and Herbs: Blanch the fresh peas in boiling water for 2 minutes until tender and bright green. Drain and plunge them into cold water to retain their color. Roughly chop the parsley, mint, and dill to release their fragrance.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice (natural), olive oil (natural), minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Combine All Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta, blanched peas, chopped herbs, and cubed plant-based cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and enhance the freshness before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly picked herbs for maximum aroma and flavor.
- Do not overcook the pasta; al dente texture is best.
- Chilling the salad improves flavor blending and freshness.
- Adjust lemon juice quantity to suit your preferred brightness.
- Keep plant-based cheese in small cubes for pleasant texture contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: pea pasta salad, lemon pasta salad, herbed pasta salad, plant-based cheese salad, fresh herb salad, gluten free pasta salad