Skip the store-bought pasta salads in favor of a quick and easy recipe for Asparagus Pasta Salad tossed in homemade Italian dressing!
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time 15 minutesmins
Cook Time 12 minutesmins
Total Time 27 minutesmins
Servings 8servings
Ingredients
For the dressing:
1/3cupred wine vinegar
2teaspoonsfreshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2teaspoonsminced garlic
1teaspoonsugar
2teaspoonsdried oregano
1/2teaspooncrushed red pepper flakes, or more to taste (optional)
1/2cupextra-virgin olive oil
For the salad:
1poundasparagus
2 1/2cupsuncooked pasta, such as penne or rotini
2/3cupsliced red onions
1 1/2cupsdiced tomatoes
2/3cupshredded Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
Make the dressing:
In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients until combined. Set the dressing aside.
Make the pasta salad:
Remove the tough stems of the asparagus then cut each spear into 1-inch pieces.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, 10 to 11 minutes, then add the asparagus to the pot and cook it with pasta for 1 more minute. Drain the pasta and asparagus then rinse it with cold water.
Transfer the pasta and asparagus to a large bowl. Stir in the onions and tomatoes. Pour the dressing over the pasta, tossing to combine, then cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 3 hours and up to overnight. When ready to serve, stir in the Parmesan cheese and enjoy cold or at room temperature.
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