Best 20 Lemon Pasta Salad Recipes

LEMON POPPY SEED CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the penne pasta, and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water until the pasta is cold; drain well.
• Place the drained penne pasta into a large mixing bowl, and stir in the chicken, celery, cranberries, and green onions. Pour in the salad dressing and lemon juice; stir until evenly mixed.

PASTA SALAD WITH POACHED SHRIMP AND LEMON-DILL DRESSING

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the juice of 3 lemons, the honey and chopped dill. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the dressing is emulsified. Season with salt and pepper. Reserve.
• Bring a large stockpot of water to a boil. Add the juice of the remaining 2 lemons, the dill stems and 1/2 cup salt. Add the shrimp and cook until opaque and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the shrimp using a slotted spoon and add to the dressing. Toss to coat.
• Bring the poaching liquid back up to a boil. Drop the pasta and cook until al dente, 9 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and run it under cold water until the pasta is cooled. Remove the dill stems.
• Add the pasta, grape tomatoes and cucumbers to the bowl with the shrimp and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

DILL LEMON CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine the chicken, celery and pasta and toss together. In a separate large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice and dill weed and mix well, then stir in buttermilk.
• Add lemon dill mixture to chicken mixture and toss to coat. Cover bowl, chill for 20 minutes, and serve.

LEMON-BASIL CHICKEN-PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a 4-quart Dutch oven about half full of water. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt if desired. Cover with lid; heat over high heat until water is boiling rapidly. Add the pasta. Heat to boiling again. Boil uncovered 9 to 11 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender but not mushy. While water is heating and pasta is cooking, continue with recipe.
• Break off and discard the tough ends of the asparagus stalks where they snap easily; wash asparagus. Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces to measure 2 cups. Add asparagus to the pasta during the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking.
• Peel and finely chop the garlic. Cut the chicken into 1/2-inch cubes to measure about 2 cups. Tear the basil leaves lengthwise into narrow strips.
• Place strainer or colander in the sink. Pour pasta and asparagus in the strainer to drain. Rinse with cold water; drain.
• In a large glass or plastic bowl, toss pasta, asparagus and chicken. Stir in garlic, basil, cheese, oil and lemon peel. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until chilled.

PASTA SALAD WITH LEMON-PESTO DRESSING

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it.
• Place pesto, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, tomatoes, scallions and cheese in a large bowl.
• Cook pasta to al dente then cold shock it and chill it down under cold running water. Drain well. Add to mixing bowl. Combine salad and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

NEELY'S LEMON PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and rinse. Set aside.
• In another large pot of boiling salted water, add the asparagus and blanch until bright green and slightly tender, about 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon or a spider and shock in icy cold water. Remove from the water and dry well.
• Trim the ends of the asparagus and cut into bite-size pieces on the bias.
• Whisk together the mustard, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Combine the reserved asparagus and pasta in a large serving bowl. Add the tomatoes, dill, peas, feta, and the mustard dressing. Toss with tongs to coat the salad well. Taste and add additional salt and pepper, if needed.

ASPARAGUS LEMON PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare penne according to package directions. Once cooked, toss with 1 teaspoon olive oil and chill. Cut off 1 - 2 inches of the base of asparagus and discard. Slice asparagus into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Simmer in skillet with water until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain asparagus and plunge into a bowl of ice water. This will help maintain the bright green color and stop the asparagus from cooking further. Toast pine nuts in oven until golden. In small bowl squeeze juice from lemon and grate the rind to create lemon zest. In large bowl whisk together lemon and rind, salt, pepper and remaining olive oil. Add asparagus, drained red pepper, pine nuts and pasta. Serve.

LEMON, GARLIC, AND ASPARAGUS WARM CAPRESE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Stir in penne and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain.
• Place asparagus into a saucepan, add a little water, and place over medium heat; cover pan and let asparagus steam until bright green and tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain.
• Heat olive oil with butter and lemon juice in a large saucepan over medium-low heat until butter melts; cook and stir shallot in hot oil and butter mixture until it just begins to soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir garlic into shallot mixture and cook until shallot and garlic are opaque, 3 more minutes. Stir asparagus and chicken into mixture; cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
• Toss pasta with chicken and vegetables to combine; mix tomato and basil into salad and serve warm.

LEMON BASIL PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a large pot 3/4 of the way with water and place over high heat. Add plenty of salt and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool down.
• Put the pasta in a large serving bowl and add the tomatoes, basil, lemon juice, olive oil and salt. Toss well and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

LEMON PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta al dente according to package directions; drain, rinse in cold water, drain again and place in a large bowl.
• Whisk oil, lemon juice, mustard, zest and garlic in a small bowl. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Add chopped peppers, feta, scallions, and tomatoes to the pasta.
• Pour dressing over and toss.
• Add basil and parsley and toss.
• Season with salt & pepper.

TURKEY CLUB PASTA SALAD WITH LEMON-BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients for Lemon-Basil Dressing.
• Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Rinse with cold water; drain.
• Mix pasta, dressing and remaining ingredients in large bowl. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours to blend flavors.

PASTA SALAD WITH CREAMY LEMON DILL DRESSING

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to directions or till just al dente. Drain pasta.
• Combine the vegetables and pasta together in large bowl.
• Whisk the mayonnaise, yogurt, fresh dill, lemon juice and zest, garlic, salt and pepper together.
• Fold into pasta mixture. Chill in fridge 2 hours or so or till ready to eat.

LEMON BASIL PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Season chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.
• Cook chicken breasts on the preheated grill until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Cut chicken into cubes.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook the rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain. Season pasta with garlic salt.
• Whisk vegetable oil, lemon juice, basil, and Parmesan cheese together in a large bowl. Add pasta, chicken, and spinach leaves. Toss to coat.
• Cover and chill for 2 hours before serving.

LEMON MINT PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 minutes or until al dente; drain but no need to cool. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the lemon yogurt, mayonnaise, mint, green onion, grapes, salt and pepper. Stir to coat the pasta evenly and distribute the grapes. This can be served warm or cold, but I prefer it cold during the summer because it makes such a refreshing treat.

FRUITY PASTA SALAD WITH LEMON POPPY SEED DRESSING

Steps:

• Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Drain, and rinse in cold water until cool.
• In a salad bowl, combine macaroni, lettuce, pears, strawberries, and celery. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, stir together yogurt, orange juice, and poppy seeds. Add to the macaroni mixture, and gently toss until well coated.

LEMON BROCCOLI & TUNA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Boil Broccoli Florets in small amount of boiling water that has been salted for approximately 10-15 minutes, covered. Rinse cooked broccoli under cold running water in sieve to drain fully, and set aside once florets are completely cooled. Next, cook pasta as directed on package (al dente is 10-12 minutes). Once pasta is cooked al dente style, remove from heat, and drain - cool completely.
• Meanwhile, mix Caesar dressing, sour cream, olive oil, lemon zest & juice. Add freshly ground black pepper to taste and mix well.
• Place cooled pasta in medium size mixing bowl, add dressing mixture, tuna (fork flake to smaller chunks), broccoli florets, cheese, and cherry tomatoes; mix lightly to incorporate dressing mixture throughout, but not to brake down tuna chunks, florets further. Serve immediately or, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

TURKEY, BACON PASTA SALAD WITH LEMON BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package; omitting salt.
• Rinse pasta in cold water; drain.
• Mix together mayonnaise, basil, lemon peel and lemon juice in a large bowl to form dressing.
• Add pasta, bacon (reserving 2 Tbl for topping), turkey, lettuce, cheese and tomato to dressing.
• Mix well.
• Cover and refrigerate 1-2 hours to blend flavors.
• Sprinkle with reserved bacon.
• Serve.

LEMON-CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Empty Pasta mix into 3-quart saucepan 2/3 full of boiling water. Gently boil uncovered 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Drain pasta; rinse with cold water. Shake to drain well.
• In large bowl, stir together seasoning mix, mayonnaise, lemon peel and lemon juice. Stir in chicken, pea pods and almonds. Serve on lettuce leaves. Serve immediately, or refrigerate.

CHICKEN PASTA SALAD WITH CREAMY LEMON DRESSING

Steps:

• In small bowl, mix dressing ingredients using wire whisk until well blended. Cover; refrigerate until ready to use.
• Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Rinse with cold water; drain.
• In large bowl, mix cooked pasta, chicken, spinach, grapes and celery. Stir dressing; pour over salad and toss gently to coat. Refrigerate at least one hour before serving. Stir in almonds, reserving 2 tablespoons for garnish, if desired.

SHRIMP PASTA SALAD WITH A CREAMY LEMON DRESSING

Steps:

• Whisk yogurt, chicken broth, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and 1 teaspoon black pepper together in a bowl until dressing is smooth.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water until pasta is slightly cooled.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Toss shrimp and 2 tablespoons olive oil together in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a glass baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until shrimp are bright pink and cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Toss pasta with dressing in a bowl. Add shrimp and scallions; season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and more pepper. Garnish pasta salad with Cheddar cheese and lemon slices.