Whole Grain Pasta Salad with Lemon Mustard Dressing

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Another pasta recipe? But of course!

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The weather has finally cooled from 95+ degrees F to breezy 70s. Bring on the warm jackets and wool skirts and jeans! (Or possibly all at once for the most amazing fashion disaster this side of Illinois.)

Yet, I cling to the tastes of summer. Just because it feels like autumn doesn’t mean our tomato plants have stopped producing. Combined with avocado, blue cheese, and a simple lemon mustard dressing, the tomato in this pasta salad takes you from summer to autumn with ease.

pasta

Whole Grain Pasta Salad with Lemon Mustard Dressing

  Prep Time: 10 minutes

  Cook Time: 10 minutes

  Keywords: side vegetarian avocado lemon tomato

Ingredients

  • 1 pound whole grain pasta, any short variety
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 cups chopped tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1 large avocado, seeded and chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh thyme or basil, chopped
  • 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Whisk together mustard, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil in a small bowl. In a large bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, avocado and chopped thyme/basil. Add lemon dressing and stir to combine. Gently stir in blue cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.

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Q: What are you most looking forward to this autumn?

P.S. Bonus pic! I served this pasta salad recently during my open hours at Strawberry Fields. Apparently I underestimated the enthusiasm for lemon dressing and was scraping bottom long before my hours were over. I’ve really got to start making larger batches.

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P.P.S. Friday’s post will be on Saturday to coincide with the Recipe Redux schedule, so check back then!

11 Comments

  1. This looks great! Lately, I’ve been kind of addicted to mustard. I look forward to doubling my tea intake, wearing ankle boots, and eating soup everyday. And perhaps baking more…although that’s dangerous as I end up eating most everything. By the way, have you seen the show The Great British Bake Off? It’s awesome 😉

  2. So fun you posted this today! Am making pasta..haha. I’ve never really tried lemon dressing in my pasta but will do it today. Thanks!

  3. 70s F?! I wish it is 70s F here in Buenos Aires… I don’t even have warm jackets at all ;( Your whole grain pasta salad looks delicious with the lemon mustard dressing! Mmmmm, I <3 pasta salads!

  4. I am always in the mood for a pasta salad, no matter the season!! But they are definitely much better when they contain fabulous summer tomatoes!

  5. Love pasta salads, especially for school. I’m thinking this would taste amazing after being in the fridge overnight so will be making this one for lunches 🙂

  6. Great summer flavors! It’s still quite warm around here, and we are still enjoying tomatoes and summer squash.

    But I also love that spaghetti squash is back in season! I can’t get enough of it.

  7. I made this today!! 🙂 Very good flavors!!! I even included the link in my most recent article for our school’s magazine, and I’m sharing it with my dietetics group next week.

    1. Thanks, Sarah! I’d love to see a link to your school’s magazine if there is one 🙂

      1. http://gcmag.org/food_beverage/

        My 1st article should be published later this week, and the others soon I hope! 🙂 Let me know what you think! I’d love feedback if you have any!!

        1. Can’t wait to check it out! 🙂

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