Crispy Pasta Salad with Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing

5 from 1 vote

This Crispy Pasta Salad is the ultimate balance of crunch, creaminess, and freshness. Featuring oven-crisped farfalle, juicy avocado, fresh herbs, and your choice of a homemade or ready-made lemon garlic dressing, it’s perfect as a summery main or vibrant side dish.

Servings servings

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Equipment

Baking Tray
parchment paper
Mixing bowls
Knife
Cutting board
measuring spoons
Salad serving bowl
Whisk (if making homemade dressing)

Ingredients

For the pasta:

300 g pasta of choice (I used farfalle)
3 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
1 tsp sweet paprika powder
1 tsp smoked paprika powder
1 tsp oregano (dried)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
Salt & pepper (to taste)

For the veggies:

1/2 cucumber (finely diced)
1/4 red onion (finely diced)
2 spring onions (finely sliced)
handful of parsley (chopped)
3 tbsp dill (chopped)
1 ripe avocado (diced)

Homemade alternative (~1 cup)

6 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
4 tbsp lemon juice (juice of 2 lemons)
2 garlic cloves (finely grated)
1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup or agave
1 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 220 °C (425 °F).
Cook pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain well and pat dry with a clean towel.
Toss pasta with avocado or olive oil, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Spread pasta in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking tray. Roast for 20–25 minutes, tossing halfway, until golden and crispy.
While pasta bakes, whisk together the dressing (if making homemade) in a large bowl.
Add cucumber, red onion, spring onions, parsley, dill, and avocado to the dressing. Toss gently to combine.
Once pasta is crispy and slightly cooled, add it to the salad and toss lightly.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately while crispy.

Nutrition

Calories: 603kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 11gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 162mgPotassium: 345mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 612IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 2mg

Calories: 603kcal

Cost: $9–$11

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: avocado dill salad, crispy pasta salad, crunchy pasta salad, lemon garlic pasta salad, vegan summer salad