Garlic Pasta Salad with Pecans
Brighten up your next meal with this vibrant Garlic Pasta Salad with Pecans! This easy-to-make dish combines tender fusilli or rotini pasta with crunchy, toasted pecans, zesty sautéed garlic, and a refreshing lemon-honey dressing. Fresh parsley and optional bursts of sweetness from cherry tomatoes add layers of flavor and color, making it perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or as a light vegetarian lunch. With just 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking time, this chilled pasta salad is a quick yet elevated option that's sure to impress. Serve cold or at room temperature for a versatile, crowd-pleasing dish packed with texture and taste.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams Pasta (fusilli or rotini)
- 100 grams Pecans
- 4 pieces Garlic cloves
- 4 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 150 grams Cherry tomatoes (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
While the pasta cooks, toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
Peel the garlic cloves and finely mince them. In a small skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
Chop the fresh parsley finely and halve the cherry tomatoes (if using).
Add the cooked pasta, sautéed garlic, toasted pecans, parsley, and cherry tomatoes (optional) to the bowl with the dressing. Toss well to combine, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated.
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired.
Chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1669 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 130.8 g | 168% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.4 g | 77% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 26.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2379 mg | 103% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 109.9 g | 40% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.9 g | 60% | |
| Total Sugars | 17.2 g | ||
| Protein | 26.3 g | 53% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 141 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 6.1 mg | 34% | |
| Potassium | 1036 mg | 22% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
