Lemon Pasta Salad with Arugula

I might be repeating myself but oh well.... I LOVE SALADS!

You may or may not know that on Sundays, you can usually find me in the kitchen making up some sort of salad that we can eat several times during the week. They are great as a side dish with dinner, or to take for lunch, or just for snacking!   I've made several with grains such as quinoa, faro, barley and others, but this week I turned to pasta.

The weather is warm...I'm craving pasta salad.

Something fresh and light.

This salad will knock your socks off.!  It's full of fresh flavors (lemon) and peppery bites (arugula) that make this pop in your mouth.

You know, this would be perfect for all those summer picnics, concerts in the park...or ....oh! how a Memorial Day?  This would be PERFECT for your Memorial Day cookout.

If you are not into pasta salad so much, here are some other great side dish/salads to choose from.

Veggie Gyro Salad

Asparagus Tabbouleh with Prosciutto

Artichoke and White Bean Salad

Seven-Grain Salad with Roasted Pepper, Feta, and a Mustard Dressing

Creamy Ranch Slaw



Lemon Pasta Salad with Arugula

Serves 6

8 oz tri-color rotini pasta
4 oz boccoini  mozzarella,  quartered
1 pt cherry tomatoes,  halved
2 cups baby arugula

Lemon Vinaigrette:
zest of 1 lemon
2 T fresh lemon juice - 1 lemon
1 T extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 t white wine vinegar
1/2 t salt
1/4 t ground black pepper

Cook pasta according to the package directions in a pot of boiling, salted water.  Drain (Do not rinse).

Meanwhile quarter your boccoini and halve your cherry tomatoes.  Place in a large bowl.  Add your cooked pasta, and stir in the arugula.

For vinaigrette combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir with a whisk until combined.  Add to the pasta salad mix and toss gently to coat all pieces.  Chill for about 1 hour to combine flavors.  Serve cold or at room temperature.