Description
This Chimichurri Pasta Salad is a fresh, vibrant dish packed with grilled vegetables and tossed in a bold, herby chimichurri sauce. Perfect for meal prep, summer gatherings, or a quick, flavor-loaded dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chimichurri
- 1 bunch parsley, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Fresno pepper, finely chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp oregano
- 4 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
For the Pasta Salad
- 1 box pasta of choice (rotini or penne recommended)
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1/2 bunch asparagus
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 small eggplant
- 1 zucchini
- 1/2 red onion
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the Chimichurri:
Finely chop parsley, garlic, and Fresno pepper. Add to a bowl and mix with salt, oregano, red wine vinegar, and olive oil. Stir well and set aside. - Cook the Pasta:
Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and let cool slightly. - Prepare the Vegetables:
Slice eggplant and zucchini. Quarter the red bell pepper and red onion. Leave asparagus and cherry tomatoes whole. - Season the Veggies:
Place all vegetables in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. - Grill the Vegetables:
Grill on a hot grill pan or outdoor grill until tender with light char. Avoid overcooking. - Chop and Combine:
Cut grilled vegetables into 1-inch pieces. Leave tomatoes whole or lightly smash them. - Assemble the Salad:
In a large bowl, combine pasta, grilled vegetables, and chimichurri. Toss until evenly coated. - Serve:
Serve immediately or refrigerate for a few hours to enhance flavors.
Notes
- Use short pasta shapes for better sauce coverage
- Letting the salad sit enhances the chimichurri flavor
- Swap veggies based on season or preference
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling + Boiling
- Cuisine: Argentinian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg