Vegetarian Italian Pasta Salad with Lemon Juice Dressing
This Vegetarian Italian Pasta Salad with Lemon Juice Dressing is a light and refreshing dish packed with pasta, fresh vegetables, olives, and herbs tossed in a bright lemon-olive oil dressing. It’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, meal prep, or quick lunches.
Time
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
Salad
250 g pasta (fusilli, penne, or rotini)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
½ red bell pepper, chopped
¼ red onion, thinly sliced
¼ cup black olives, sliced
¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
2 tbsp fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Lemon Dressing
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Pasta
Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions.
Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
2️⃣ Prepare the Vegetables
Chop tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and onion.
3️⃣ Make the Dressing
In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
4️⃣ Combine the Salad
In a large bowl mix pasta, vegetables, olives, and herbs.
5️⃣ Toss and Serve
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well.
Sprinkle feta cheese on top if desired.
Tips
✔ Add chickpeas or white beans for extra protein.
✔ Include avocado or roasted zucchini for more Mediterranean flavor.
✔ Chill the salad for 20–30 minutes before serving for the best taste.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 320 kcal
Protein: 9 g
Carbohydrates: 44 g
Fat: 12 g
Fiber: 4 g