Summer Lemon Pasta Salad

Summer Lemon Pasta Salad is always a favorite for patio parties and backyard BBQ’s! The refreshing and light lemon dressing with fresh tomatoes and basil is the best summery combo. Make it ahead of time and the flavors just get better with time!

Say hello to the most stupid simple summer lemon pasta salad EV-ER.

It’s basically your new summer BFF. Made with fresh tomatoes and basil, you get all the summer flavors you love, combined with big chunks of mozzarella and marinated peppers.

However, it’s the lemon herb dressing for the pasta that really sells the whole thing for everyone.

It has just the right amount of tartness with a hint of garlic that makes for a savory citrus flavor everyone will love.

I am normally not the biggest fan of classic pasta salad, but I think that is just because the ones I had in the past were full of vinegar.

While I do love vinegar things, most pasta salads have way too much in it. This one however, well, it’s a whole new take on it!

There’s actually no vinegar in it at all. Instead, it’s all about fresh lemon goodness. This pasta salad is super bright and refreshing! It’s just the right chilled salad to serve alongside any summer entree you have coming fresh off the grill.

Note: This is an updated version of the original recipe posted on May 7, 2020. The recipe has been slightly updated and the post includes more helpful information about how to make the best pasta salad!

ingredients

pasta. Any short pasta type will work in this recipe! We like to use penne, but you could also use rigatoni or farfalle if you prefer.

mozzarella. Chop up one large ball of creamy mozzarella for this recipe. You can also omit the cheese to keep it dairy-free, if preferred.

tomatoes. Fresh tomatoes are best for this pasta salad! We usually use beefsteak, hot house, or heirloom tomatoes. Be sure to seed the tomatoes first before dicing them. You could also use cherry tomatoes and halve them before using in the recipe.

bell peppers. Roasted, marinated bell peppers are an easy ingredient to throw in by picking up a jar from the grocery store. You could also use sun-dried tomatoes, if preferred.

basil. Fresh basil leaves give this recipe so much flavor! Do not use dried herbs, because fresh herbs always have better flavor.

parmesan. Grate the parmesan right before using it in the recipe versus buying the cheese pre-grated. The flavor is so much better this way.

oil. Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the dressing. The better quality of the oil, the better the flavor of the dressing.

lemon. Pick up a couple of lemons both for the juice and the lemon zest.

garlic. garlic is a must for EVERYTHING, so I have a jar of minced garlic living in my fridge at all times.

salt and pepper. Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper are all you need for the recipe.

this recipe’s must-haves

Such a basic, straightforward recipe doesn’t need many tools and equipment to make. You will need a stockpot to cook up the pasta in to start with, along with a colander to strain it.

You will also need a whisk and one of your smaller mixing bowls to make the dressing.

Finally, I like to serve this salad in a large serving bowl like this one. You can also use a large bowl if you are prepping this recipe for meal prep for the week.

Other yummy salad recipes: Bacon Cilantro Lime Grilled Corn Salad | Avocado Caprese Panzanella Salad | Miso Marinated Steak Salad | Crunchy Thai Pasta Salad

Let’s make delish summer lemon pasta salad!

Cook Pasta

Cook penne pasta until it is just al dente. Once it’s been cooked, remove from heat and strain immediately.

Add the pasta to a bowl and cool completely in the refrigerator. This will take about 30 minutes.

Make Pasta Salad Dressing

To make the dressing, all you have to do is combine all the ingredients together in a bowl.

Make Salad

Once the pasta is cooled, add in mozzarella, vegetables, basil and parmesan. Drizzle over the dressing, tossing to coat evenly.

Need inspiration for dinners to go with this salad? Check out my main dish recipe page for some tasty ideas.

Can I make this easy pasta salad recipe ahead of time?

You sure can! This salad will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container.

Can I use another cheese?

If you don’t like mozzarella, you can also use feta as an alternate cheese! I like to use crumbles if I am using feta cheese, because there is no need to chop anything.

variations

add in protein. You can add in chopped cooked chicken or even shrimp to this pasta salad to add some protein.

change up the vegetables. Consider bulking up the recipe by stirring in chopped cucumbers, chopped red onion, or whatever your favorite fresh vegetable may be.

If you are looking for another pasta that’s lemony but served hot, this roasted lemon garlic shrimp pasta is a must!

Finally, if you make this summer lemon pasta salad recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!

Want to know when I come out with a new recipe or the latest news? Sign up for my newsletter!