Description
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish featuring tender shrimp, al dente rotini pasta, fresh herbs, and a tangy apple cider vinegar dressing. Light yet satisfying, it combines bright citrus, savory garlic, plant-based cheese, and garden-fresh herbs to create a perfect warm-weather meal or a versatile salad for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Pasta
- 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
Dressing
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced fresh
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Salad Mix-ins
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and keep the pasta cool and firm for the salad.
- Prepare the Shrimp: While the pasta cooks, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Toss in the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, apple cider vinegar (natural), olive oil, a pinch of salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Adjust the seasoning to your taste. This tangy and smooth dressing will tie all the flavors in the salad together beautifully.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently fold together the cooled pasta, cooked shrimp, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley and basil, and crumbled plant-based cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat every ingredient evenly.
- Chill and Serve: For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the dressing to meld with the shrimp and pasta, creating a harmonious bite with every forkful.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain great texture.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest, most aromatic flavor.
- Do not overcook shrimp; it cooks quickly and becomes rubbery if left too long on the heat.
- Chill the salad before serving to allow flavors to develop fully.
- Add fresh herbs gently at the end to preserve their vibrant color and fresh flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
Keywords: lemon garlic shrimp pasta salad, shrimp pasta salad, light pasta salad, seafood pasta salad, summer salad, healthy shrimp salad