Confetti Veggie Pasta Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-03 · Updated 2026-04-03

A vibrant Mediterranean-style pasta salad bursting with colorful vegetables and a zesty lemon-herb dressing, perfect for a light lunch that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs penne pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 cups penne pasta
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup, diced cucumber
• 1/2 cup, diced red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup, diced yellow bell pepper
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook 2 cups penne pasta according to package directions until al dente, then rinse under cold water and drain thoroughly.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup diced cucumber, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/2 cup diced yellow bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil.
3. Step 3: Whisk 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified and glossy.
4. Step 4: Add the cooked pasta to the vegetable mixture, then pour the dressing over and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated and the salad looks vibrantly mixed.
5. Step 5: Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let flavors meld, then check for seasoning—adjust salt or pepper if needed before serving.