lemon dill pasta salad
May 4, 2012 An un-Italian flavored pasta salad?
Pasta salad with no olives?
A veggie-heavy pasta salad?
Pasta salad not dripping in oil?
Yes, yes, yes, and yes.
My intention for this dish was to put a twist on the classic Italian veggie pasta salad everyone grew up eating. I seem to have a think for lemon + dill right now, so I figured I would go with it.
I wanted to create a lighter dish packed with flavor and loaded with fresh vegetables. Something that makes you come back for 2nd’s+ 3rd’s. A dish that is great for a crowd, or to pack for your lunch all week.
To make the sauce thick + creamy I used avocado alongside extra virgin olive oil. Avocado in dressing is my new favorite trick. So much creaminess + chock-full of healthy fats.
It’s Friday.
You’ve had a long week.
So let’s get right down to business.
Lemon Dill Pasta Salad [serves 6-8]
- 8oz pasta of choice
- 3.5c broccoli, chopped
- 2c asparagus, ends trimmed + chopped
- 1.5c zucchini, sliced + chopped in half
- 1 large red/orange/yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1c cherry tomatoes
- 1/3c red onion, minced
- 1/2c sunflower/pepita/hemp seeds
Lemon Dill Dressing [use ~3/4 of the dressing]
- 1 avocado
- 1/2c olive oil
- 2.5t garlic, chopped
- 1/2t salt + more to top
- 1/2c dill, loosely packed
- 2/3c fresh lemon juice
- 1T maple syrup/honey
- black pepper
- Chop + prep all ingredients. Also get a large pot of water boiling for the pasta and a pot of boiling water set up to steam the vegetables.
- Cook pasta according to package directions, then rinse with cold water until chilled. [I used GF quinoa veggie curls – new favorite!]
- While the pasta is cooking, steam the broccoli + asparagus for 3 minutes, then add in the zucchini for 2 more minutes. Be careful not to over-steam the veggies. You want them crunchy.
- Remove and rinse with cold water, then place in a large bowl filled with water and ice [ice bath] until chilled.
- Drain the water very well and combine with the pasta, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and seeds. I used a mix of 5T sunflower seeds and 3T hemp seeds.
- In a blender/magic bullet/food processor/etc. add all of the dressing ingredients and process until smooth. Scrape the sides of the container if necessary.
- Adjust the salt/pepper/lemon if desired. I added a hefty amount of pepper.
- Starting with 3/4 of the dressing, combine it with the pasta + veggies until well coated. Add more if desired. I reserved the rest and stored it in the fridge.
- Taste and add more salt + pepper. I added about 1/4-1/2t more salt and a lot more pepper. Adjust to your liking.
- Chill in the fridge before serving and store in a sealed container in the fridge for about 3 days.
notes: If you don’t like dill, you can definitely sub another herb like basil. You will most likely need to adjust the amount.
You can add your favorite protein to make this a full meal, or serve it as a side dish. I pressed a block of tofu, cubed it, then tossed it with lemon juice, a little oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. No cooking needed, I just threw it right in! Also delicious with feta and/or goat cheese on top.
Enjoy the weekend!
Ashley
p.s. Hi from Kenna and all 3 of her bones…silly dog.
Reader Comments (27)
Ashley--> Yes, I love it!! The linguine noodles are great too!
Ashley--> We are 1 in the same!
Ashley--> You are the best food tester + neighbor everrr!
Ashley--> Aw, thanks!
Ashley--> Thanks, Kerry! Definitely will be making this again soon!
Ashley--> Thanks so much... x2!
hope you're having a fantastic time at blend! wish i were there!!
Ashley--> I so wish you could have been there!
Oh Kenna.... ;)
Ashley--> Ahh, no, when I switched blogs I had to get a new feed and couldn't just forward people over. I'm sorry for the confusion!
Ashley--> So glad to hear. You are the first to let me know. Thanks!
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com/
Ashley--> Much appreciated. Thanks, Ally!
Ashley--> YAY!!!!!! Thanks for letting me know, lovely lady!
Ashley--> So glad to hear! Thanks for letting me know!
Ashley--> I hope it's a crowd pleaser!