This fresh flavored pasta salad is tangy and delicious and is sure to become your go-to menu item all year long.
I never get tired of pasta salad!
There is something about lemon, fresh basil, and feta cheese.
Pasta salads are so great, don’t you just love them!
I really do!
I love bringing a pasta salad for summer cookouts, the beach, and parties.
To tell you the truth, I just LOVE having pasta salad in the refrigerator so anytime I’m hungry I can just grab a bowl and enjoy.
The flavor combo in this one will wow you. The tangy lemon flavor with the sharper taste of feta cheese, now add in basil, oregano, and asparagus and you have a winner when you add it to pasta.
Can you make pasta salad the night before?
Yes, it’s even better when it’s made ahead of time, it allows the sauce to coat the pasta and give the dish more flavor. You can cook the pasta and rinse it in cold water and drain it and place it in the fridge if you are preparing to serve this more than a day after making it, especially for a party. Cooked pasta stays well in the fridge. Then the night before serving, toss it with the oil and lemon, then add the other items closer to serving.
How long does pasta salad last in the fridge?
One great thing about pasta salad recipes especially with an acidic dressing is that they stay great for days in the fridge. This pasta will keep well for 3-5 days, if you make it a day or so ahead of time, add the cheese just before serving for the freshest pasta salad.
How do you keep pasta salad moist?
The oil and lemon coat the pasta and keep this pasta recipe from drying out.
Lemon Pasta Salad with Feta Cheese
Author: Diane Schmidt Created by Diane
Recipe type: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 8 servings
This fresh flavored lemon and feta cheese pasta salad will be the best thing you bring to a pot luck!
Ingredients
- 1 pound mini ziti pasta (or penne)
- 1 bunch asparagus (1-1½ lbs)
- 4 oz crumbled feta cheese
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon dry oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
- 6-8 leaves fresh basil leaves (chopped)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions, then put pasta in an ice bath.
- Cut and roast asparagus in a hot skillet (al dente) not soft
- Drain pasta.
- Place pasta, asparagus, feta cheese, oil mixed with lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Toss until combined and then add basil and mix.
- Serve chilled.
- *if the lemons are too tangy for you, heat the sauce on the stove to mellow the flavor, you can also add minced garlic if heating the sauce.
- *heating it with 2 cloves of crushed garlic is wonderful also.
Jenn @ South of Sheridan says
oh, yum. I'm definitely going to have to try this the next time I make pasta salad!
Laura PARING DOWN says
Diane,
You know I love lemon. I may be making this pasta salad for my birthday on Saturday (followed by those lemon cupcakes!!!)
YUM. YUM. YUM.
xo,
Laura
Kel says
This is perfect! I came to your blog hoping to find an idea for a party this weekend and I found it right away! Thanks Diane!
~Issy says
Oh my….this looks amazing. Now if i could have a 'girl's dinner' with some of my blogging friends over this would be perfect!
DOEHLER DAYS says
YUM!!!!! I just came back from the grocery store and I think I have everything I need to make this. I can't wait.
Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com says
That looks so good Diane! I might have to try that tomorrow night 🙂
XOXO
Jen
~Carrie from Cottage Cozy~ says
I never tire of pasta salad either…especially with feta!
Jennifer Young says
I saw this pinned on Pinterest and I must have it!! Do you think it would be good with parmesan instead of feta?
Diane says
Yes, Parmesan would be great, I’d use small diced pieces or large grated pieces 🙂 thanks so much for visiting my blog hope you find more recipes you’ll like.
~Diane
Jen says
I LOVE this recipe. Cannot wait to try making it! Feta with lemon is one of my favorite things. Great flavor profiles.
xx
Jen
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Domestic Divas Blog
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