Lemon Parmesan Pasta Salad Recipe
A refreshing and zesty Lemon Parmesan Pasta Salad that combines rotini pasta with a flavorful Italian dressing, fresh lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and herbs. Perfect as a quick side dish or light meal, this salad is easy to prepare and delicious served chilled for enhanced flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 1 cup Italian dressing
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the rotini pasta according to the package instructions, typically 10 to 11 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it off thoroughly. Drain well to remove excess water.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Italian dressing, freshly squeezed lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Whisk these ingredients together to create a well-blended dressing.
- Combine Pasta and Dressing: Add the cooled pasta to the dressing mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure every piece of pasta is evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Serve or Chill: You can serve the pasta salad immediately for a fresh taste, but for best results, cover and chill it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and deepen. Before serving after chilling, give the salad a good stir to redistribute the dressing.
Notes
- Draining and rinsing the pasta under cold water is essential to prevent it from overcooking and to cool it for a perfect cold salad texture.
- Chilling the salad enhances the flavors, making it taste even better after sitting for a couple of hours.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is preferable for better flavor and texture.
- This salad can be customized with additional vegetables such as cherry tomatoes or cucumbers for variety.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and consume within 2-3 days for best freshness.
Keywords: Lemon Parmesan Pasta Salad, Italian Pasta Salad, Rotini Pasta Salad, Summer Pasta Salad, Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/lemon-parmesan-pasta-salad-recipe/