Creamy Lemon Spring Pasta Salad Recipe (with Asparagus)

This Asparagus, Pea, and Chickpea Spring Salad is so delicious and the perfect recipe to welcome the warm weather and it just happens to be my favourite time of year. This cold pasta salad recipe is one of my favourite ways to sneak a variety of vegetables into a dish, like fresh asparagus, peas, and chickpeas. My favourite part of this chickpea pasta salad recipe has to be the creamy lemon dressing. It’s the perfect tangy flavour to compliment this lemon herb pasta salad.

This creamy dressing will be incorporated into many upcoming new recipes since it’s not only perfect in this healthy pasta salad, but it would be perfect as a dip for veggies, in a potato salad, as a dipping sauce for chicken skewers and even in a classic creamy macaroni salad. Imagine it as a flavorful substitute for sour cream in your spring season and summer recipes!

This new recipe is in collaboration with Life’s Simple Ingredient, just in time for Spring picnics and Summer BBQs. If you love the sound of this Spring inspired recipe, Life’s Simple Ingredient has tons of other recipes. Click here for six Spring-Inspired dishes with fresh flavours.

If you want to try other delicious pasta salad recipes, check out these:

• Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad via Lemon and Zest
• Asparagus Pasta Salad via Just a Taste

And if you are ready to get your hands dirty in your garden this Spring, check out these two articles with great tips to set up your garden for success this year!

Spring Into Action With Springtime Gardening

Grow Food Like an Alberta Wheat Farmer

If you are looking for more information about the Canadian wheat industry, more recipes, facts, and nutrition…head over to Life’s Simple Ingredient.

Why you’ll love this creamy pasta salad recipe…

• This herb pasta salad can easily be prepared in advance. Store everything in an airtight container and add the creamy lemony dressing before serving.
• This asparagus pasta salad recipe is a great way to sneak in a variety of ingredients, especially vegetables. You can even add in other favorite veggies like green beans, red bell peppers, snap peas, and cherry tomatoes. Just add whatever is in season at the farmer’s market or at your local grocery store
• The addition of the chickpea to this recipe is a great way to add more plant-based protein to this easy pasta salad!
• This recipe makes 4-5 servings if served as a main, but double the recipe for the perfect side dish at your next BBQ. It’s also a great idea for meal prep!
• Even though the tangy dressing is creamy, there is no dairy! This great recipe is a perfect option for vegetarians and a great alternative for a creamy vegan pasta salad. You can also switch out the pasta for gluten-free pasta for your dietary needs.
• It’s very customizable and easily adaptable for any dietary preference.
• I decided to use Gemelli pasta, but you can use any shorter shape of pasta you like. Use a higher protein pasta like whole wheat pasta! For example, Penne or Elbow Macaroni are great options for this fresh pasta salad. Most importantly, look for that “made in Canada” seal on your pasta box and support our Canadian wheat farmers!

What you’ll need to make this Spring Pasta Salad…

• 4 cups of cooked pasta, cooled
• 1 bunch of asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup of peas
• 1 cup of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 4 spring onions, chopped
• a handful of fresh chives, chopped

Ingredients for the creamy lemon vinaigrette dressing…

• 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 of red onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 1 garlic clove (go ahead and an extra clove if you are a garlic lover like me)
• 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon of maple syrup
• salt & black pepper to taste

How to make this lemony Spring Pasta Salad…

1. Fill a large pot of water and add a heavy pinch of salt. Bring to a boil on high heat and add in your trimmed asparagus and the peas. Cook for 2-3 minutes and using a slotted spoon, transfer cooked asparagus and peas to a large bowl of ice-cold water. What this does is enhance the color, flavor and softens the asparagus a little.
2. Using the same water in your pot, cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Strain and set aside and let cool to room temperature.
3. To assemble, add the asparagus, peas, chickpeas, chopped chives, and green onions to a large bowl along with the cooked pasta. Drizzle in the creamy sauce and toss to combine.

How to make the lemony creamy dressing…

1. In a blender or food processor, add the oil, diced red onion, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, dijon mustard, and maple syrup along with a pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Blend for about 30 seconds, or until it becomes a creamy consistency.
3. Toss the sauce into the pasta salad when ready to serve. If you are preparing in advance, keep refrigerated.

Customize This Pasta Salad

• Feel free to add in any other seasonal or your favourite veggies. Cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, yellow peppers, or red pepper are all great options.
• Add in a handful of chopped fresh herbs like fresh basil or mint for extra freshness…
• Want to add a little cheese? Toss in a handful of crumbled goat cheese, grated cheddar cheese, or some feta cheese!
• Make it spicy by adding 1 tsp of red pepper flakes
• This recipe is also fantastic with some roughly chopped crispy bacon!

How Long Will Pasta Salad Last?

The shelf life of pasta salad can vary depending on the ingredients used and how it is stored. Generally, this homemade pasta salad recipe can be kept in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days. It is important to note that the quality and taste may start to deteriorate after the first couple of days.

How to Store This Pasta Salad

If you want to extend the shelf life of your pasta salad, you can take a few steps:

1. Store it properly: Transfer the pasta salad to an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap before placing it in the refrigerator. This helps to prevent moisture loss and the absorption of odours from other foods in the fridge.
2. Keep it chilled: Refrigerate the pasta salad promptly after serving or preparing it. Bacteria can grow rapidly at room temperature, so it’s important to keep it chilled to maintain its freshness and prevent foodborne illnesses.
3. Add dressing before serving: If you plan to store the pasta salad for several days, it’s a good idea to add the dressing or extra sauce just before serving. This helps to keep the salad moist and prevents it from becoming overly soggy.
4. Consider storing components separately: Alternatively, you can store the cooked pasta, vegetables, and dressing separately in the refrigerator and combine them just before serving. This can help maintain the texture and quality of the ingredients.

Why Is My Pasta Salad Dry?

There are several possible reasons why your pasta salad may be dry. Here are a few common reasons:

1. Insufficient dressing: Pasta salads typically require a generous amount of dressing to keep them moist and flavorful. If you didn’t use enough dressing, the salad can end up dry. Consider adding more dressing and tossing the salad again to distribute it evenly.
2. Overcooked pasta: If you overcook the pasta, it can become too soft and absorb too much liquid. Overcooked pasta tends to release starch, which can make the salad dry. Ensure that you cook the pasta according to the package instructions and avoid overcooking.
3. Absorption over time: Pasta tends to absorb liquids over time, especially if the salad sits for an extended period. The longer the pasta salad sits, the drier it may become. If you plan to serve the pasta salad later, you can prepare some extra dressing and toss it with the salad just before serving to freshen it up.
4. Lack of moisture-rich ingredients: Pasta salads often include ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, or other vegetables that contribute moisture. If your pasta salad is lacking these ingredients or they were not juicy enough, it can result in a dry salad. Adding more moist ingredients can help improve the overall texture.
5. Improper storage: If you have refrigerated the pasta salad for an extended period, it can dry out. To prevent this, cover the salad tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container before refrigerating. This will help retain moisture and prevent the salad from drying out.

Consider these factors and make adjustments accordingly to ensure a moist and delicious pasta salad.