Simple Veggie Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
A refreshing pasta salad tossed with colorful vegetables and bright lemon vinaigrette, ideal for a healthy lunch or picnic side dish. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs rotini pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, medium, diced 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
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium, diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup shredded carrot
- 1/4 cup, sliced black olives
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz rotini pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 medium diced cucumber, 1/2 cup shredded carrot, 1/4 cup sliced black olives, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 4: Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the pasta and vegetables. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simple Veggie Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Simple Veggie Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rotini pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simple Veggie Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Simple Veggie Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Simple Veggie Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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