Summer Pasta Salad With Lime Vinaigrette

Summer just got a whole lot brighter with this refreshing pasta salad, bursting with juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, and tangy feta cheese, all tied together with a zesty lime vinaigrette. Perfect for a backyard barbecue or a quick weeknight dinner, this salad is as easy to make as it is delicious!

Ingredients

• 1 pound bow-tie pasta
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cucumber, sliced
• 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (optional)

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, feta cheese, parsley, mint, basil, and red onion.

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, Dijon mustard, and honey until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Pour the lime vinaigrette over the pasta and vegetable mixture, and toss to combine.

Sprinkle the chopped chives over the top of the salad, if using. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Serve chilled, dividing the salad among eight plates or bowls.

Notes

Use any type of pasta you prefer, but bow-tie pasta holds the dressing nicely. Don’t overcook the pasta, it should still have a bit of bite to it.

Cherry tomatoes can be substituted with grape tomatoes or even diced bell peppers for added color.

If you’re not a fan of olives, try using artichoke hearts or diced bell peppers instead. For a lighter vinaigrette, use only 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of lime juice.

Let the salad sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before refrigerating to allow the flavors to meld faster.

Give the salad a good stir before serving, as the ingredients tend to settle at the bottom of the bowl. This salad is perfect for outdoor gatherings, picnics, or potlucks, just keep it chilled until serving.

You can also customize the salad to your taste by adding diced grilled chicken or toasted almonds for added crunch.

Nutrional Value

• Calories: 340
• Total Fat: 17g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sodium: 250mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 32g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 15g
• Sugar: 8g