An Uncomplicated Life Blog: Lemon-Thyme Pasta Salad

Monday, March 27, 2017

Lemon-Thyme Pasta Salad

This zesty and fresh pasta salad works as a side or a vegetarian main dish


You know those dishes that just get better and better the longer they sit in your fridge? This is definitely one of those dishes. The more time the marinate has to soak into the fresh veggies and pasta, the tastier it gets. The lemon and thyme are perfect for spring and summer; the veggies freshen the already bright flavor and whole wheat pasta adds texture to this lemon-thyme pasta salad.

This easy to make pasta salad gets better the longer it sits! Make ahead pasta salad

No need to cook the veggies - the acid in the lemon juice softens them. I did, however, blanch the asparagus because who wants to bite into raw asparagus, right? Another key to this really easy, highly versatile dish is to use al dente pasta. That means that you under cook it. Just like the acidity will soften your veggies, it will soften your pasta too. So to avoid a mushy pasta mess, take it out of the water while it still has a little bite to it.


Bring this lemon-thyme pasta salad to cook outs. Add chicken to make it a main dish. Or keep it vegetarian with the chick peas. It can sit out since there's no mayo, and it you keep it vegetarian, there's no meat to spoil (ughhhh, just writing that grossed me out. Spoiled meat. Yuuuuuuuuck!)

Lemon-Thyme Pasta Salad
- 3/4 box of whole wheat pasta, cooked al dente
- 1 small summer squash, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 zucchini, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 bunch of asparagus, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 container of grape tomatoes, cut into halves
- 1/4 red onion, finely diced 
- 1 can chick peas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can artichoke hearts
- 2 lemons
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper
- 2 teaspoons thyme
- freshly grates Parmesan cheese to garnish

Bring a large pasta pot of water to boil; salt the water. Blanch the asparagus in the water for about 3 minutes. Drain the asparagus, set aside and cook the pasta in the same salted water, making sure to drain the pasta before it's fully cooked.


In a large bowl, add the olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, zest of one lemon and juice of two lemons and whisk together. Add the vegetables and chick peas. Once the asparagus and pasta have cooled to room temperature, add to the bowl and fold together. 


You can enjoy the lemon-thyme pasta salad immediately, but it's better if it has a few hours to sit so that the lemon juice can soften the veggies and adsorb into the pasta. Better yet, make it the night before you want to serve it and let it rest overnight in the fridge! It will get better with age, and keep for several days in a sealed container refrigerated. 


^Like it? Pin it!^

This lemon-thyme pasta salad basically tastes like summer in a bowl. It's so fresh! If you have an herb garden, it'd probably also be great with a little fresh parsley. Happy cooking!

20 comments:

  1. That seriously looks so yummy. I would probably eat the entire bowl in one sitting. I love that there is no mayo in it either. Definitely saving this one!

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  2. Perfect timing for this spring and summer picnics! I usually end up hosting cookouts and picnic here in London because I live across the street from Green Park. Love how it's easy to make a huge batch of this! Looks so good!

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  3. Yep Yep Yep Yep Yep. This looks absolutely delicious. I'll be making this soon. Perfect for spring - so fresh!

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  4. This looks so good! I'm going to save this one for Memorial Day weekend!

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  5. This is perfect! We bought a big bag of dried chickpeas that we are running out of recipes to use for so yay, we'll do this one soon. Looks bright and refreshing!

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  6. I had to pin this for later, I can't wait to try it!

    xo, Helene
    www.circleskirtsandpetticoats.wordpress.com

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  7. This looks so good! I love fresh pasta salads full of veggies. Yum!!

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  8. this looks so delish. I can already taste the lemon, my favorite flavor in pasta! I cannot wait to try

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  9. Looks so yummy and I think I can totally knock this out. Seems easy enough. I'm going to give it a shot! Wish me luck :D

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  10. This looks delicious. Love all the colors. Perfect for Spring.

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  11. This sounds so fresh and perfect for Spring! Leon and thyme are two of my favorite flavors - definitely trying this soon!

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  12. This sounds amazing! I love the addition of so many vegetables, and dressing the pasta salad with lemon and olive oil is perfect. This recipe has been bookmarked. Thanks! =)

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  13. I had to bookmark this. I am definitely trying this.

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  14. i love uncomplicated meals and the veggies look delightful (:

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  15. Wow this must be fate! I have all of these ingredients in my fridge right now and was going to make rice with them for dinner, but now I'll make this!

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