⏎ All Recipes

Spring Pasta Salad with Lemon-Dijon Dressing

Anolon Team

Prep Time
25 Mins
Cook Time
20 Mins
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⏎ All Recipes

Spring Pasta Salad with Lemon-Dijon Dressing

Anolon Team

Meet your new favorite excuse to eat pasta in a sundress. This Spring Pasta Salad is what happens when farmers market flair meets effortless elegance—and yes, it tastes as good as it looks. Tender orecchiette cradles vibrant green peas, snappy asparagus, and chickpeas that bring just the right amount of substance. Peppery radishes, fresh herbs, and a flurry of feta (if you fancy it) round things out with bright, seasonal energy. It all gets tossed in a zesty lemon-Dijon dressing that’s equal parts sophisticated and sunshiney. Bonus? The pasta and veggies cook up like a dream in our EverLast Ceramic Stainless Steel 6 Qt Covered Stockpot—no sticking, no second-guessing the heat, just professional-grade results with a refreshingly effortless feel. Fresh, fun, and fabulous cold or room temp—this is spring in a bowl.

Products Used
11-Piece Ceramic Nonstick Stainless Steel Cookware Set
11-Piece Ceramic Nonstick Stainless Steel Cookware Set
$379.99
20
20" x 14" Reversible Teak Cutting Board
$79.99
Salad Serving Set
Salad Serving Set
$89.99

Directions

  1. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, shallot, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Whisk until smooth and creamy, then set aside.
  2. Prep an ice bath: Fill a large bowl with ice water and set it aside on the counter.
  3. Blanch the vegetables: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Cut the asparagus into 2-inch pieces and add them to the boiling water. Cook for 2 minutes, or until just tender. Stir in the peas and cook for a few seconds, until bright green. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the asparagus and peas to the ice water to cool completely.
  4. Cook the pasta: Bring the same pot of water back to a boil. Add another pinch of salt and cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  5. Toss with chickpeas and dressing: Add the chickpeas to the warm pasta and toss with two-thirds of the lemon dressing until evenly coated.
  6. Assemble the salad: Drain the asparagus and peas well and add them to the bowl with the pasta. Add the green onions, radishes, parsley, remaining dressing, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
  7. Taste and adjust: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning as needed—more salt, pepper, lemon juice, or herbs, if desired.
  8. Finish with feta (optional): Top with crumbled feta for a creamy, tangy finish.

Ingredients

  • Dressing:
    • 1 ½ teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
    • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
    • ½ small shallot, chopped
    • 2 teaspoons agave nectar/maple syrup
    • ¾ teaspoon Dijon mustard sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
    • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • Feel free to add any fresh herbs like dill or mint
  • Pasta Salad:
    • ¾ lb asparagus, woody ends trimmed
    • 1 cup shelled green peas, fresh or frozen
    • 1 lb small pasta – baby shells or orecchiette
    • 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas, from approximately 1 can, drained & rinsed
    • 3 green onions, finely sliced
    • 6-7 radishes, finely sliced into half moons
    • ½ cup flat leaf parsley leaves, chopped
    • Feta (optional)

Yield:

8