Print

Angel Hair Pasta Salad

Angel Hair Pasta Salad
Print Recipe

Angel Hair Pasta Salad is a light, refreshing, and easy-to-make dish combining delicate angel hair pasta with fresh vegetables and a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for quick meals, picnics, or potlucks, offering versatility and vibrant flavors with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 8 oz angel hair pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for garnish)

Dressing

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ tsp salt, or to taste
  • ¼ tsp black pepper, or to taste

Optional

  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the Angel Hair Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz of angel hair pasta and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until al dente. Drain and immediately rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare Fresh Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, dice 1 medium cucumber, thinly slice ¼ cup of red onion, and finely chop ¼ cup of fresh basil. Set aside a small amount of basil for garnish.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste, keeping a roughly 3:1 oil to lemon juice ratio.
  4. Combine All Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooled angel hair pasta with the prepared tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and chopped basil. Pour the dressing over and gently mix to evenly coat all ingredients.
  5. Add Final Touches: Optionally, sprinkle ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the salad. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired. Garnish with reserved fresh basil before serving.

Notes

  • Rinsing the pasta after cooking prevents clumping and stops the cooking process.
  • Use ripe tomatoes and fresh herbs for the best flavor.
  • Adjust the acidity of the dressing gradually with lemon juice to avoid overpowering the salad.
  • Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
  • Use high-quality olive oil to enhance the richness and flavor of the dressing.

Nutrition

Keywords: Angel Hair Pasta Salad, pasta salad, light pasta salad, summer salad, quick pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta dish, picnic salad

Find it online: https://dailydishez.com/angel-hair-pasta-salad/