Summer Pasta Salad
If you are looking for a quick and easy recipe this summer to take to BBQs or to entertain guest, you have to try this Summer Pasta Salad.
Ingredients:
- noodles– I love using banza noodles for this recipe for added protein and to keep it gluten free, but you can use whatever noodles you want.
- mozzarella pearls
- cherry tomatoes
- arugula– arugula is such a flavorful green, with a little spice to it. It adds so much flavor to this salad and it adds some extra fiber.
- basil
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- lemon zest
- salt
- pepper
- red pepper flakes
- minced garlic
The noodles
Make sure you boil the noodles according to the instructions on the box. Do not over cook them or they will fall apart. Once they are done, run them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Making this ahead of time
If you are making this salad ahead of time, wait to add the arugula until you are ready to serve so it does not get wilted. You can go ahead an add the dressing as long as you are eating it the same day. This will give the dressing enough time to marinate into the noodles. If you do not plan on eating the salad on the same day, wait to add the dressing to prevent the tomatoes from getting soft.
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Summer Pasta Salad
Zesty + Fresh pasta salad- the perfect side dish for summer
Ingredients
- 8 oz dried banza cavatappi noodles or noodles of choice- I use these for added protein and to keep it GF
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes sliced in half
- 8 oz mozzarella pearls
- 3-4 handfuls fresh arugula
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup chopped basil
Let's Make It
- Boil the noodles according to the directions on the box. Once The noodles are done, drain and run them under cold water so they don't continue to cook.
- In a large bowl, add the noodles, tomatoes, mozzarella, arugula.
- In a small bowl stir together the olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and basil.
- Por the dressing over the noodles and toss to combine.
- Serve immediately or if you are serving later on, wait to add in the dressing until you are ready to serve!
