Description
A lively and refreshing Pasta Salad with Basil featuring tender short pasta, fresh garden herbs, crisp vegetables, and a light, tangy natural dressing. Perfect for summer meals, picnics, and outdoor gatherings, this easy-to-make salad balances vibrant flavors and colors for a delicious, plant-based dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups short pasta (fusilli, rotini, or penne)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing (natural) Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil (natural)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 tsp honey (natural)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (natural)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your chosen pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it for the salad.
- Prepare the Vegetables and Herbs: While the pasta is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes in halves, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, and finely slice the red onion. Roughly chop the fresh basil leaves and set aside.
- Make the Dressing (natural): In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), honey (natural), Dijon mustard (natural), minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified and flavorful.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooled pasta with the chopped veggies, fresh basil, and dressing. Mix gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: For the best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to marry beautifully.
Notes
- Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness when chilled.
- Use fresh basil leaves for the best aroma and flavor.
- Adjust the apple cider vinegar (natural) and honey (natural) in the dressing to suit your desired balance of tang and sweetness.
- Chill the salad before serving to enhance flavor melding.
- Add dressing gradually to avoid over-dressing the salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: pasta salad, basil, summer salad, vegan pasta salad, gluten free pasta salad, fresh herbs, garden vegetables, healthy lunch
