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Summer Garden Pasta

Summer Garden Pasta
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Summer Garden Pasta is a fresh, vibrant, and easy-to-make dish featuring crisp seasonal vegetables tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and a light, flavorful dressing. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is ideal for warm days, offering a light yet satisfying meal that is customizable to your taste and dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 200g penne, fusilli, or farfalle pasta

Vegetables

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium bell pepper (red or yellow), thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped

Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Toppings (Optional)

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook your chosen pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and immediately rinse with cold water to stop cooking and keep it cool and firm.
  2. Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, wash and chop the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the zucchini and bell peppers, and finely chop fresh basil leaves.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to create a bright, flavorful dressing that ties the dish together.
  4. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss the cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables and dressing. Mix gently but thoroughly to ensure every bite is flavored evenly.
  5. Serve and Garnish: Sprinkle the top generously with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves just before serving for an added layer of flavor and color.

Notes

  • Use fresh vegetables to maximize flavor and crunch.
  • Don’t overcook the pasta; al dente texture is best.
  • Chill the pasta for 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors.
  • Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the dressing.
  • Add toasted pine nuts, almonds, or sunflower seeds for extra texture and richness.

Nutrition

Keywords: summer pasta, garden pasta, fresh vegetable pasta, easy pasta recipe, light pasta salad, vegan adaptable pasta

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/summer-garden-pasta/