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Fresh 15-Minute Spring Vegetable Pasta Salad

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A quick and easy pasta salad featuring roasted garlic, fresh spring vegetables, and a simple dressing, perfect for light meals and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces short pasta (fusilli, rotini, or penne)
  • 1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed and halved
  • 1 cup radishes, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
  • 1 whole head roasted garlic
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice off the top of the garlic head to expose cloves, drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for about 30 minutes until soft and golden.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
  3. Trim and halve sugar snap peas, thinly slice radishes, cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces, and halve cherry tomatoes. Rinse and pat dry.
  4. Once garlic is cool, squeeze soft cloves into a bowl. Add olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Whisk until creamy.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, prepared vegetables, and chopped herbs. Pour dressing over and toss gently to coat.
  6. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over salad and toss lightly. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
  7. Serve immediately at room temperature or chill for 10-15 minutes to let flavors meld. Can be made an hour ahead for best flavor.

Notes

Roast garlic carefully to avoid bitterness. Rinse and dry vegetables well to prevent sogginess. Use a silicone spatula to gently toss salad without breaking pasta. A splash of reserved pasta water can loosen dressing if needed. Salad tastes better after resting for an hour.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, spring vegetables, roasted garlic, quick recipe, easy salad, healthy, vegetarian, fresh herbs

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/fresh-15-minute-spring-vegetable-pasta-salad-easy-homemade-recipe/