Sunshine Pasta Salad Recipe

Sunshine Pasta Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing

Today, I am excited to share with you my latest creation: a Sunshine Pasta Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing. This dish is perfect for those warm summer days when you’re looking for something light, refreshing, and bursting with flavor. The combination of citrusy lemon and aromatic basil really brings a pop of sunshine to your plate.

Ingredients:

• penne pasta (200g)
• cherry tomatoes (150g)
• yellow bell pepper (100g)
• cucumber (100g)
• red onion (50g)
• black olives (50g)
• feta cheese (50g)
• fresh basil leaves (a handful)
• juice and zest of 1 lemon
• olive oil (50ml)
• salt and pepper to taste

Kitchen Tools:

• pot
• colander
• cutting board
• knife
• zester
• whisk

To start, cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions. While the pasta is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes, yellow bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, black olives, and feta cheese into bite-sized pieces. Tear the fresh basil leaves into smaller pieces.

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander and rinse with cold water. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped vegetables, olives, feta cheese, and torn basil leaves. Pour the lemon basil dressing over the salad and toss everything together until well combined.

Let the salad sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Before serving, give it a final toss to ensure everything is coated in the delicious dressing.

Serving:

The total weight of the Sunshine Pasta Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing is approximately 800g, with 4 servings. Each serving weighs around 200g. This refreshing salad is perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish at your next barbecue.

One clever tip for this dish is to add a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds for some extra crunch and nuttiness. This will take the salad to the next level and add a lovely texture to each bite.

I hope you enjoy making this Sunshine Pasta Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing as much as I did. Feel free to customize it with your favorite vegetables or herbs to make it your own. Happy cooking!