Description
Spring Pea Pasta Salad is a bright, protein-rich pasta salad made with sweet spring peas, fresh herbs, goat cheese, toasted pine nuts, and a zesty lemon dressing. Perfect for potlucks, meal prep, or light spring dinners.
Ingredients
- 12 oz whole wheat penne or fusilli
- 2 cups fresh spring peas (or frozen peas)
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts (or almonds/sunflower seeds)
- 4 oz fresh goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente (8–10 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
2. Blanch peas in boiling water for 2 minutes until bright green. Transfer immediately to an ice bath to stop cooking.
3. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
4. In a large bowl, combine warm pasta and blanched peas.
5. Pour dressing over warm pasta and toss to coat evenly.
6. Gently fold in mint, basil, toasted nuts, and crumbled goat cheese.
7. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen and bind the dressing.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
Notes
- Do not overcook the peas; they should remain bright green and slightly crisp.
- Add dressing while pasta is still warm for maximum flavor absorption.
- Store up to 4 days refrigerated in an airtight container.
- For meal prep, store dressing separately and combine before serving.
- Substitute quinoa or chickpea pasta for added protein.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: spring pea pasta salad, healthy pasta salad, lemon pasta salad, vegetarian pasta salad, spring salad recipe