This tasty summer pasta salad makes the most of seasonal produce and makes a great side dish to serve with grilled entrées like steak, chicken and skewered shrimp.
The recipe is a simple blend of pasta (we used mini farfalle), zucchini, bell pepper, tomatoes and sweet onion tossed with crumbled feta cheese and a tangy, creamy lemon dressing.
Summer Pasta Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing
Tossed with a fresh-flavored, creamy lemon dressing, this seasonal pasta salad is made with zucchini, bell pepper, tomatoes, sweet onion and feta cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
- 10 ounces pasta (farfalle, rotini, penne)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 orange or yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup sweet onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
For the dressing:
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (plus more if needed)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- 1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
- 2 tablespoons half-and-half or cream
- 1 clove garlic, very finely chopped
Instructions
- Put a large pot of salted water on to boil for the pasta.
- Prepare the dressing by combining the olive oil, mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, half-and-half and garlic in a small bowl. Whisk until well blended and set aside.
- Cook and drain the pasta according to package directions. Transfer to a large bowl, add about 1/2 of the reserved dressing, combine well and season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
- Add the zucchini, bell pepper, tomatoes, onion, parsley and feta cheese. Toss to combine, adjust the seasoning if necessary and add the remaining dressing. Toss again and add an extra drizzle of olive oil if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Recipe Notes:
This pasta salad can easily be made ahead. For best flavor, remove from the refrigerator about 45 minutes before serving.
Recipe Keywords: summer cooking
Alison says
Really lovely, I had cooked chicken left over and this went well with it, quick and easy, will do it again regularly
Lynne Webb says
Hi Alison,
Glad you enjoyed the pasta salad. I’ve added both chicken and shrimp on occasion and you’re right, it works well. Thanks!