California Pasta Salad: 7 Amazing Happy Flavors
A fresh and vibrant California pasta salad with crisp vegetables, creamy avocado, and a light lemon dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
12 ounces rotini, penne, or bowtie pasta
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup diced cucumber
1 cup diced bell peppers
1 ripe avocado, diced
1/3 cup red onion, chopped
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until tender, then drain and rinse with cold water.
- Let pasta drain completely.
- Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Toss pasta with dressing.
- Add tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, and onion, then mix gently.
- Add avocado and parsley just before serving.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Add avocado last to keep it fresh and prevent browning.