Springtime Pasta Salad

Springtime Pasta Salad is an easy, light, refreshing and yet such a satisfying recipe with a simple lemon vinaigrette, olives and fresh veggies. It is the perfect make a ahead dish for company, potlucks or cold lunches during the week.

Springtime Pasta Salad

This post may contain affiliate links which I earn a small portion in sales if a purchase is made. Rest assured though, it is never at any additional cost to you.

Springtime Pasta Salad

In all my years working as a weight loss counselor I could always tell which clients were going to have success and get to where they wanted to be, or very close to their goal.

There were certain key attributes that always gave it away, such as, being willing to change behaviors, planning ahead and focusing on eating a TON of veggies.

I would always cringe when I would hear a client tell me that they hated veggies and were not going to eat them.

In the politest way I could, I would share that weight loss success is very minimal when veggies are not involved.

Sometimes I could persuade these veggie hating people to at least give them a try and others it was a flat out, “nope, not gonna do it”.

I could almost predict what I would hear from the group that would dig in their heals.

“I am so hungry!!! You don’t understand, I am so hungry that I want to eat my foot off.”

We would laugh and then come full circle back to how important those veggies are.

But let’s be honest, sometimes it is easier said then done getting in those veggies every single day.

They can get boring and labor intensive after awhile.

Some of the reasons I love this Springtime Pasta Salad is it is far from boring, I LOVE making a big bowl and to eat off of for a few days and it has never failed to be a hit at potlucks.

Springtime Pasta Salad

Springtime Pasta Salad

How to cook asparagus

Asparagus is a wonderfully versatile vegetable that can be roasted, steamed, blanched stir fried and sautéed. The thickness of the asparagus will play a large part in the cooking times but my personal preference is a medium thickness. When asparagus are too thick they can be very woody in texture. Any of the above methods will work for this recipe however my favorite is blanching. Boil your water, make sure to cut off tough ends and cut asparagus spears into 1/2’s or 1/3’s. Once water in boiling turn off heat and add asparagus. Let sit in the hot water for about 2-4 minutes, drain and add to vinaigrette.

Variations of Springtime Pasta Salad

  • Mediterranean Twist- Add feta cheese and Greek olives for a Mediterranean flair.
  • Protein-Packed- Mix in diced grilled chicken or tofu for a protein boost.
  • Caprese Fusion- Replace the vinaigrette with a balsamic glaze, and add fresh mozzarella and basil.
  • Spicy Kick- Include a chopped jalapeño or red pepper flakes for some heat.
  • Pesto Perfection- Substitute the vinaigrette with pesto for a flavorful alternative.
  • Grain Swap- Use quinoa or couscous instead of pasta for a different texture.
  • Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad- Use grilled squash, zucchini, peppers, and red onions instead of the raw vegetables.

Tips for Springtime Pasta Salad

  • This ingredient will make an even healthier version of this Springtime Pasta Salad. (affiliate)
  • Not as excited about the veggies choices in this Springtime Pasta Salad? No problem, mix and match your favorite veggies, just remember it will be about 12-13 cups of veggies in total.
  • If your not a lemon lover or are allergic to citrus, substitute your favorite vinegar in place of the lemon.
  • My favorite part of this recipe aside from the lemon and garlic is the dill. I am absolutely in love with Simply Organic Dill because it tastes so unbelievably fresh. (affiliate)
  • When making this Springtime Pasta Salad make sure to keep the cold veggies apart from the hot noodles until they have cooled down a bit. This step keeps the tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, etc. beautifully crisp.
  • If you have 2 perfectly ripe avocados, then they go great in this recipe. Dice them in large chunks and stir them in.
  • This may seem like a large amount of pasta, but trust me, if you have 3 or more hungry adults eating, it goes really fast. Plus it makes great left overs that are actually fun to eat.
  • I would be lost without this set and this kitchen tool as often as we make salads and pastas in my house. (affiliate)
  • I used Trader Joe’s Ripe Medium Green Olives. They have a wonderfully mild flavor and are a favorite at our house.
  • For added crunch, toss in some toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds just before serving.
  • Boost the protein content by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for a heartier meal.
  • Consider adding fresh herbs like parsley or basil for an extra burst of flavor and color.

Olives for Springtime Pasta Salad

One last tip that is a complete time saver. Place the broccoli florets in the colander and pour the cooked noodles over the top. It blanches them perfectly for the pasta salad and saves you about 15 mins. (affiliate)

Blanching broccoli by pouring hot noodle water over the top for Springtime Pasta Salad.
Save time by draining noodles over broccoli florets to blanch.

Springtime Pasta Salad

Love pasta? There are more Awesome pasta recipes waiting for you HERE!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of pasta for this salad?

While the recipe suggests spiral pasta, you can experiment with your favorite pasta shapes, such as penne, bowtie, or even whole wheat varieties.

 Can I make this salad in advance?

Yes, you can prepare this salad ahead of time. It actually tastes great chilled, making it a convenient option for picnics, potlucks, or meal prep. Just store it in the refrigerator and toss before serving.

Can I substitute fresh dill for dried dill in the vinaigrette?

You, can use fresh dill if you have it on hand. Use about three times the amount of fresh dill compared to dried dill for a similar flavor.

How long can I store leftovers of this pasta salad?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep in mind that the pasta may absorb some of the dressing over time, so you might want to refresh it with a splash of olive oil or lemon juice before serving.

Can I customize the veggies in this salad?

Feel free to add or substitute vegetables based on your preferences. Avocado, cherry tomatoes, or artichoke hearts could make delicious additions.

 Can I make this salad gluten-free?

Yes, you can use gluten-free pasta to make this salad gluten-free. Ensure all other ingredients, including the vinaigrette, are gluten-free as well.

Springtime Pasta Salad

An easy, simple, light and refreshing pasta salad that both little ones and adults will love. Perfect way to get your veggies in.
5 from 13 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side/Main
Cuisine: Lunch/Dinner
Keyword: Dill Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad with Olive Oil, Vegan Pasta Salad
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 292kcal
Author: Heather

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 lb spiral pasta of choice
  • 2 tbsp sea salt *for boiling noodles
  • 1 lg English cucumber *peeled & cut into half coins
  • 3 cups tear drop tomatoes *cut in half
  • 1 can whole olives *drained
  • 3/4 cup red onion *cut into small strips
  • 1 cup mini sweet bell peppers cut into rings *about 4
  • 5 cups broccoli florets *about 2 broccoli crowns
  • 1 bunch asparagus *ends cut off & cut into thirds

Vinaigrette

  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 lemons juiced *little over 1/2 cup
  • 3-4 lg garlic cloves *minced or crushed
  • 1 tbsp dill *dried dill
  • 2 tsp salt

Instructions

  • Prepare noodles of choice to al dente, following instructions on package and boiling in heavily salted water.
  • Wash and cut broccoli into florets. Place in colander and when noodles are done drain over top of broccoli.
  • While water for noodles is coming to a boil prepare vinaigrette. Place olive oil in large mixing bowl. Whisk in lemon juice until emulsified. Add garlic, dil and salt. Stir well.
  • Wash and cut asparagus in thirds making sure to cut off tough ends. Bring a med pot of water to boil. Once boiling turn off heat and add cut asparagus. Let sit in hot water for 2-4 minutes or until desired doneness. Time will vary depending on thickness of spears. Drain and add to vinaigrette,
  • Prepare cold veggies (cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, & olives) and set aside until noodles are cooled off to almost room temperature.
  • Once noodles are done cooking drain over top of broccoli florets. Add to vinaigrette and stir well. Let sit for about 10 mins, cooling to almost room temp and add cold cut up veggies. Toss well.
  • This recipe tastes great fresh or chilled.

Notes

*Please use as many organic ingredients as possible.*

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 83mg | Potassium: 346mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 817IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @thefedupfoodie or tag #thefedupfoodie!

This recipe is part of Meal Plan Monday.

If you love the flavor of dill then check out these recipes.

Skinny Red Potato Salad recipe is light and savory. Perfect for summer BBQ's. This is a crowd hit every time.Skinny Red Potato Salad

Mediterranean Tuna Salad is a fast and healthy recipe perfect for lunch or dinners with no cooking. Lemon, watercress and olive oil packs in the flavor and satisfaction.Mediterranean Tuna Salad

Lemon Dill Salad is a light and refreshing meal perfect for summer nights. Lemon Dill Shrimp Salad

Summer Smoked Salmon Sandwiches recipe has silky, rich lox with endless fixings. These are beautiful, healthy and perfect for a fast dinner on hot summer nights. They also make a great option for brunch that will impress guests.Summer Smoke Salmon Sandwiches with Lemon Dill Cream Cheese 

Similar Posts

54 Comments

    1. I am so happy to hear that Ann. Thank you for taking the time to make it and coming back to rate Springtime Pasta Salad.

    1. Hi Patsy. Yes, it absolutely can be made the day before. The only thing I would change is to wait to add the tomatoes until the day of serving. Also, just make sure to give it a good stir and taste test before serving. Sometimes additional salt and or dill may need to be added. I hope you enjoy.

    1. I actually do a trick to partially blanch the broccoli by pouring the hot pasta water over the broccoli. It a pretty big short cut that saves time.

  1. I thought this was a very good pasta salad. We’ll make it again. I made one change I used Olive Garden. Dressing.

    1. Thank you for the compliment! I’m delighted to hear you enjoyed the pasta salad. I do highly recommend trying the dill dressing next time. It adds a fresh and delicious flavor that really highlights the pasta, especially for those who love the flavor of dill. If you have any questions or need more recipe suggestions in the future, feel free to reach out anytime—I’m here to help!

5 from 13 votes (10 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating