Healthy Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing Lemon Vinaigrette

Buttermilk Pasta Salad - the BEST pasta salad ever!! Great for a crowd! Pasta, tomatoes, chives, sweet peppers, basil, cucumbers, onion, sunflower seeds, and feta tossed in a delicious homemade buttermilk dressing made with mayonnaise, lemon juice, hot sauce, garlic, chili flakes, and pepper. Add some canned tuna or cooked chicken for a meal! Can make in advance and refrigerate until ready to serve!

Healthy Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing Lemon Vinaigrette

INGREDIENTS:

1 (16-oz) package penne pasta

1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup diced cucumber

1/2 cup chopped chives

1/2 cup diced red onion

1/2 cup mini sweet peppers, sliced

1/2 cup salted sunflower seeds

1 cup crumbled feta

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 cup mayonnaise

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1 Tbsp hot sauce, such as Crystal brand or Frank's Red Hot

1 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp red pepper flakes 

salt and black pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Drain well.
2. Transfer pasta to a large bowl. Add basil, tomatoes, cucumber, chives, red onion, peppers, sunflower seeds, and feta. Toss well and set aside.
3. Whisk together buttermilk, mayonnaise, lemon juice, hot sauce, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Pour dressing over pasta mixture and toss to coat. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate overnight.

Share this post