Lemon pasta salad

This no-frills lemon pasta salad is so simple but tastes SO fresh and delicious. It’s the perfect make-ahead dish for summer gatherings, and it’s easy to customize with your favorite add-ins.

Published on May 2020/Updated on July 2024

I’ve shared a few pasta salad recipes, including this tomato pasta salad and zucchini pasta salad. Today, I’ve got another flavorful summer recipe for you that is easy to make, fresh, and incredibly versatile.

I first made this lemon pasta salad in 2020, but today, I’ve decided to skip the tuna to make it more flexible and easy to customize.

And you’ll love how this new version is ridiculously simple and takes about 15 minutes to make.

The ingredients are straightforward: pasta is generously tossed with homemade lemon dressing, fresh herbs, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan and toasted pine nuts.

It’s overflowing with a fresh, bright lemon flavor and a hint of garlic, which we all love, and it’s downright delicious.

This light and refreshing flavor profile makes this pretty basic pasta salad very versatile and perfect to pair with cheese, veggies, or any other protein you might prefer or have on hand.

If you’re looking for a super simple pasta salad with lemon flavor, look no further. This recipe makes the perfect summer lunch or side dish. It’s time for the season of picnics, BBQs, and patio parties to begin!

List of the ingredients

• Pasta (fusilli, penne, shells…)
• Lemon
• Garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Honey
• Parmesan cheese
• Herbs
• Salt & pepper

How to make Lemon pasta salad

(Note: this is a quick description; the full recipe is at the bottom of the page)

• Cook, drain, then rinse briefly the pasta under cold water. Add it to a large bowl.
• Make the garlic lemon dressing.

• Pour the dressing over the pasta.
• Add the chopped fresh herbs.

• Toss until well combined, taste, and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
• Sprinkle the shaved parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts (optional) and garnish with fresh basil leaves. I love enjoying this cold lemon pasta salad with Italian crostini or warm focaccia!

Recipe Notes

ingredients & substitutions

Pasta: Fusilli, penne, or any small, good-quality pasta shape you have on hand will work well here. You can also use gluten-free pasta if desired.

Dressing: The combination of good-quality extra virgin olive oil, lemon, and garlic is the ticket here. We also use fresh lemon juice and zest to maximize the lemon flavor. Plus, honey for sweetness and texture, and salt and pepper, of course.

Herbs: I love the combination of fresh basil and parsley for this pasta salad, but fresh dill or mint might also work. However, I recommend using only fresh herbs to maximize this salad’s fresh flavor.

Parmesan cheese: This terrific Italian cheese’s savory, nutty flavor brings everything together. Pecorino cheese or mature goat cheese can be used instead of parmesan.

For serving: Add some chili flakes, extra salt and pepper if desired, and delicious toasted pine nuts for more flavor and texture. Toasted walnuts or almonds work great, too.

Storage Tips

This lemon pasta salad keeps well for 3 days in the fridge, stored in an airtight container. After resting in the fridge, the pasta might dry out, and I recommend stirring a small amount of olive oil to revive it.

Lemon pasta salad variations

• Add any veggies you have on hand! Arugula, grilled zucchini, peppers, corn, and summer cherry tomatoes would be great in here.
• Add protein. To keep the pasta salad meatless, add chickpeas or cannellini beans. If you’re not vegetarian, try grilled chicken, shrimp, canned or grilled tuna, or salmon.
• Add cheese. Fresh mozzarella, feta cheese, and goat cheese would be great add-ins.

More quick pasta recipes?

And if you love pasta, these quick pasta ideas, vegan pastas, and Italian pasta recipes are perfect for inspiring you! Check out some of our staples:

• Spaghetti with garlic and olive oil
• Easy lemon ricotta pasta with spinach
• Cream cheese pasta
• Marinara sauce & spaghetti
• Mushroom spaghetti
• White bean pasta

If you make this lemon pasta salad, leave a comment, rate it, or tag a photo #theclevermeal on Instagram.

For more recipe updates, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. I would love to hear from you!