Spring Pasta Lemon Radishes (Print Version)

Vibrant pasta with lemon vinaigrette, radishes, and spring vegetables. Refreshing and great for light lunches.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz short pasta such as fusilli, penne, or farfalle

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed and halved
03 - 1 cup asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
04 - 5 to 6 radishes, thinly sliced
05 - 1 cup baby spinach leaves

→ Lemon Vinaigrette

06 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
08 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
11 - 1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
12 - Salt, to taste
13 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

14 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives or parsley, finely chopped
15 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional)

# How To Make:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add sugar snap peas and asparagus for blanching. Drain and rinse under cool water; set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, blanched sugar snap peas and asparagus, sliced radishes, and baby spinach.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until emulsified.
04 - Pour the prepared lemon vinaigrette over pasta and vegetables. Toss gently until evenly coated.
05 - Add fresh herbs and crumbled cheese, if desired. Toss once more and adjust seasoning to taste. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to chill and allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Each bite tastes like spring packed into a fork, and it's a little secret how easy it is to put together.
  • It quickly became a favorite because leftovers only get better—the flavors deepen, and the salad stays vibrant and crisp.
02 -
  • Leaving hot pasta un-rinsed can wilt the spinach and make the salad soggy—let it cool for best results.
  • A splash more lemon juice at the end transformed the flavor, especially if the salad rested in the fridge.
03 -
  • Chilling the salad for an hour makes the flavors more harmonious and refreshing.
  • A drizzle of good olive oil and a dash of flaky salt right before serving makes it truly irresistible.
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