Asparagus Pea Pasta Salad
Asparagus Pea Pasta Salad, with its tender pasta, crunchy asparagus, and sweet peas all tossed in a zesty lemon dressing, is the perfect easy dish for any day of the week. This delicious make-ahead pasta salad with spring veggies is also great for dining outdoors, picnics, and potlucks!
Calories: 3348kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound (16 ounces) uncooked pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound asparagus - cut into approximately 1" pieces
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- dash black pepper
- 1 ½ cups baby peas - thawed
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese - grated
- 2 tablespoons parsley - chopped
Lemon Vinaigrette
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice - fresh squeezed
- 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- zest of 1 lemon
- ½ teaspoon Kosher
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water to al dente according to package directions. Drain pasta and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
- While pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in skillet. Add asparagus, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cook on medium high for 3 to 4 minutes until asparagus is tender but still has a crisp texture. Remove from pan and set aside. Place frozen peas in strainer and rise with cool water. Set aside to drain.
- In a mason jar or small bowl, mix together olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar lemon zest, salt and pepper. Set aside
- In a large bowl, add pasta, asparagus and peas. Drizzle on lemon vinaigrette and toss to mix all ingredients. Sprinkle on Parmesan cheese and parsley. Gently toss and place in serving bowl. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and parsley if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
To make ahead:
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- To make a day ahead, I put the cooked pasta, sauteed asparagus, and peas in a container, then make the dressing and store them separately in the fridge. To serve, I toss everything together and sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley.
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- For potlucks and picnics, or, when serving a crowd, make the salad and put it in an airtight container. Toss or shake the container to blend any dressing that might have settled.
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- PRO TIP - this salad has the best taste and texture when served at room temperature. And since it doesn't contain mayonnaise, you don't have to worry about it spoiling quickly for outdoor dining.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 3348kcal | Carbohydrates: 396g | Protein: 108g | Fat: 150g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Monounsaturated Fat: 96g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 1860mg | Potassium: 2666mg | Fiber: 37g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 6364IU | Vitamin C: 147mg | Calcium: 1169mg | Iron: 21mg