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Summer's Bounty Pasta Salad (with lemon basil dressing!)

Fresh summer veggies packed into a bowl, tossed with a lemon basil dressing, and topped with avocado and feta. This delicious and healthy pasta salad makes great lunches for work, is simple to make, and is just so darn tasty! Plus, easily customizable so you can add what you have on hand and make it your own!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8 people

Ingredients

Dressing:

  • 2/3 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
  • 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil or olive oil
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt 1/2-1tsp to taste
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper 1/2-1tsp to taste

Pasta Salad:

  • 16 oz whole wheat pasta I used Trader Joe's Penne
  • 1 medium red onion, chopped
  • 1 cup artichoke hearts, chopped
  • 2 cups mini tomatoes, halved
  • 1 can chickpeas
  • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 whole avocado, diced
  • 3 cups fresh arugula optional, but delicious!

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Then strain and let cool slightly. 

  2. For dressing: In a large bowl, combine fresh basil, lemon juice, oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk together.

  3. Add slightly cooled pasta to large bowl containing dressing. Toss to coat pasta. Add all other ingredients to bowl and toss until well combined. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve. 

Recipe Notes

Feel free to add whatever fresh summer produce you have! Corn and peppers would make great additions, other fresh herbs could easily be tossed in, and if you like olives they may fit in too.