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    Asparagus Pasta Salad

    Apr 28, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    6 shares

    Read in: Deutsch

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This fresh springtime asparagus pasta salad features asparagus, tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and pine nuts complemented by a zesty homemade dressing!

    asparagus pasta salad in a bowl with a golden fork
    Jump to:
    • 🛒 Ingredients
    • 👩‍🍳 Visual Step-by-Step Instructions
    • 🍶 Variations
    • 🫙 Storage Instructions
    • 🥗 More Pasta Salad Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Asparagus pasta salad is the perfect springtime salad! It’s made with fresh ingredients like crisp green asparagus, cherry tomatoes, scallion, and fresh basil leaves. To make it taste even better, toasted pine nuts and shaved Parmesan cheese are added.

    A wonderful vegetarian asparagus pasta salad you can quickly throw together when guests come over, for a family dinner, potlucks, or as a side dish for your next barbecue.

    pasta salad with asparagus and cherry tomatoes in a bowl

    The oil and vinegar dressing is mild and lighter than mayo-based dressings, making the salad taste fresher.

    Hint: Add a handful of sliced strawberries to the salad if you love strawberries. These harmonize particularly well with green asparagus and basil.

    🛒 Ingredients

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Asparagus Pasta Salad Ingredients
    • Pasta → Of your choice! I like to use rigatoni, fusilli, penne, or farfalle. Feel free to use gluten-free pasta. Hint: Set aside some pasta cooking water to stretch the dressing. This will make the salad a little juicier without using more oil.
    • Green Asparagus → A crunchy and vitamin-rich addition.
    • Cherry Tomatoes → Add freshness and some juiciness. Can also be substituted with chopped tomatoes of your choice.
    • Scallion → You can also use a shallot or finely sliced red onions.
    • Parmesan Cheese → Some shaved or chopped Parmesan cheese gives the whole salad more flavor. Also tastes delicious with mozzarella.
    • Pine Nuts → Provide a great crunch and nutty flavor. Be sure to toast them first!
    • Fresh Basil → Goes well with asparagus and is almost a must for any pasta salad!
    • Dressing → A simple dressing made with just a few ingredients: Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar (red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice works too), Maple Syrup (or honey), and mustard (I recommend dijon mustard). Salt & black pepper to taste. If you like, you can add some grated garlic.

    👩‍🍳 Visual Step-by-Step Instructions

    This visual step-by-step instruction will help you along the way – definitely recommended if you’re a cooking beginner! → Watch the recipe video to see how easy it is to make at home! 🤓

    • Cook pasta according to the packet instructions in a pot of boiling salt water until al dente. Drain over a sieve and set 2 tbsp of pasta water aside.
    • Wash asparagus, break off the tough woody ends & discard, and cut the asparagus spears into bite-sized pieces. Heat
    Asparagus Pasta Salad Recipe Step 1-4
    • Heat a skillet with ½ tbsp olive oil. Add asparagus and roast for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Toast pine nuts in a skillet without oil until golden brown.
    • Mix all ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl.
    • In a large bowl, combine pasta, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, parmesan cheese, scallion, pine nuts, and basil. Drizzle with the dressing and toss until well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper! 
    Asparagus Pasta Salad Recipe Step 5-8
    • Hint: Mix the set aside pasta cooking water into the salad, this way you can stretch the dressing a bit without using more oil.
    close up shot of asparagus pasta salad

    🍶 Variations

    Want to customize this asparagus pasta salad recipe? Then you’ll find plenty of ways to do so:

    • Extra Flavor – drizzle the salad with balsamic crema!
    • Berry – mix sliced strawberries into the salad!
    • Deluxe – add sun-dried tomatoes!
    • Cheese – top the salad with crumbled feta cheese or mozzarella cheese instead of parmesan cheese. Vegans omit the cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative.
    • Extra Crunch – mix a handful of fresh arugula or baby spinach into the pasta asparagus salad.
    • Zesty – add lemon zest to the dressing!

    🫙 Storage Instructions

    This salad can be made up to a day in advance and stored in the fridge until needed. Doing this will set the flavors together a little longer. Hint: I like to take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving! Also, it helps if you stretch the pasta salad dressing with some set-aside pasta cooking water. This prevents the salad from getting too dry, without adding unnecessarily much olive oil and vinegar. 😉

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 2 days.

    🥗 More Pasta Salad Recipes

    • Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad
    • Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad
    • Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad

    If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. 

    Please follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook or sign up for my free newsletter to never miss the newest recipes. I would be thrilled to welcome you to my community & thank you so much for your support! 💕

    📖 Recipe

    asparagus pasta salad in a bowl with a golden fork

    Asparagus Pasta Salad

    Aline Cueni
    This fresh springtime asparagus pasta salad features asparagus, tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and pine nuts complemented by a zesty homemade dressing!
    5 from 1 vote

    Click on the stars to leave a vote!

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine Vegetarian
    Servings 4
    Calories 270 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • ½ tbsp olive oil
    • 9 oz (250 g) asparagus
    • 7 oz (200 g) pasta of choice
    • 1 ¾ cups (200 g) cherry tomatoes cut in half
    • ⅓ cup (50 g) shaved parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese balls
    • 1 scallion sliced
    • 2 tbsp pine nuts toasted in a
    • 1 tbsp fresh basil minced

    Dressing

    • 3 tbsp olive oil
    • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar or vinegar of choice
    • 1 tsp maple syrup or sugar, honey
    • 1 tsp mustard
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • ¼ tsp pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Cook pasta according to the packet instructions in boiling salt water until al dente. Drain over a sieve and set 2 tbsp of pasta water aside.
    • Wash asparagus, break off the tough woody ends & discard, and cut asparagus into bite-sized pieces. Heat
    • Heat a skillet with ½ tbsp olive oil. Add asparagus and roast for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Toast pine nuts in a skillet without oil until golden brown.
    • Mix all ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl.
    • In a large bowl, combine pasta, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, parmesan cheese, scallion, pine nuts, and basil. Drizzle with the dressing and toss until well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper! Hint: Mix the set aside pasta cooking water into the salad, this way you can stretch the dressing a bit without using more oil.

    Notes

    • Make-Ahead: This salad can be made up to one day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator until 30 minutes before serving.
    • Keeps fresh for 3 days. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
    • Cheese: Substitute parmesan cheese with mozzarella or feta cheese.
    • Vegan: Omit cheese!
    • Love strawberries? Add a handful of sliced strawberries to the salad.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Asparagus Pasta Salad
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 270 Calories from Fat 45
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 5g8%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
    Monounsaturated Fat 2g
    Cholesterol 9mg3%
    Sodium 238mg10%
    Potassium 373mg11%
    Carbohydrates 43g14%
    Fiber 3g13%
    Sugar 4g4%
    Protein 13g26%
    Vitamin A 858IU17%
    Vitamin C 16mg19%
    Calcium 183mg18%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    6 shares