Courgette pasta salad

Courgette pasta salad

30 min
Enjoy the exciting mix of deep, vibrant flavours and grilled green veggies in this courgette pasta salad. Tender slices of courgette and crisp green asparagus blend seamlessly with fusilli pasta. The salad is topped with white cheese marinated in citrus and herb oil, adding a creamy sharpness that pairs beautifully with the vegetables. A touch of balsamic vinegar introduces a sweet depth.
https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/courgette-pasta-salad/

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 160 °C.
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large ovenproof frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry courgette slices for 2-3 minutes on each side. Place the pan in the oven and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Add asparagus to the same pan and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, season, and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pan of water with a generous amount of salt to a boil. Cook pasta according to the package instructions. Drain, refresh in cold water, drain again, and tip into a large bowl.
  • Add courgette, asparagus, spinach, and balsamic vinegar to the pasta and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  • Top with half of the white cheese – including oil from the pack – and toss lightly before serving.
Enjoy!
Add flavour with white cheese oil

We recommend including some of the oil from the white cheese. It is infused with citrus and herbs and thus provides depth and extra flavour. Of course, the white cheese also has these flavour notes, but the other fresh ingredients in the pasta salad will benefit from an extra drizzle of the flavourful, aromatic oil.

Preparing pasta perfectly

Achieving a flavoursome pasta salad starts with properly seasoned water. Add a good amount of salt when the water comes to a boil. This is your chance to season the pasta from within. Be generous with the salt to give the pasta the right savoury edge. Cook the pasta until it is al dente to ensure the best texture.

FAQ: Questions about courgette pasta salad

This light, refreshing courgette pasta salad makes a delightful side dish or lunch. Find out how to get the perfect char on the courgettes and how to prepare and store the salad to maintain its freshness and flavours.

How do I get char lines on courgettes for the salad?
To create attractive char lines on your courgettes, heat your grill or griddle pan until very hot. Cut the courgettes into your preferred shape and coat them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill each side for 4-5 minutes until charred and soft. Do this in batches to ensure they cook evenly.
Can I make courgette pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the courgette pasta salad beforehand, which is great for organising meals or when you have guests. To keep the salad fresh and full of flavour, it is best to mix the roasted courgettes, fried asparagus, and oil with the pasta just before you serve it. This keeps the vegetables crisp and the flavours bright.
How should I store the courgette pasta salad?
For freshness, place your courgette pasta salad in an airtight container and refrigerate. The salad will keep for around three days stored properly, but we recommend enjoying its freshness as soon as possible after cooking it.

Ingredients

Courgette (about 200 g), cut into 1 cm slices
1
Vegetable oil
2 tsp
Fine green asparagus (about 150 g), cut into 2 cm lengths
1 handful
Fusilli pasta
100 g
Spinach
1 handful
50 g
Salt and pepper to season
Good quality balsamic vinegar (optional)
1 tsp

Try our summery courgette pasta salad with asparagus

Embrace the summer sun and warm weather as you dive into our courgette pasta salad with asparagus. Pasta salads can be made in a million different ways with a million different ingredients – as long as they are delicious. We have made sure to keep that in mind. Our courgette pasta salad is nothing short of delicious, boasting grilled summer vegetables and white cheese on top. It is a fusion of fresh and vibrant ingredients. Let this recipe be a new introduction to your collection.

With creamy white cheese and a splash of balsamic vinegar

To balance the grilled courgettes and asparagus, our pasta salad is topped with tangy white cheese and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. The white cheese is not just any white cheese; it is marinated in citrus and herb-infused oil. This humble addition injects a sharper, tangier note into the cheese, which complements the smoky, earthy sweetness of the veggies. The cheese also adds a welcome creamy touch. Adding balsamic vinegar can elevate a simple courgette pasta salad to a dish with depth and sophistication. Balsamic vinegar is known for its rich and slightly sweet flavour, which infuses the salad with exciting flavour notes.

Perfect for a sunny picnic or a light dinner

Pack a picnic basket with all your favourite easy-to-bring meals, including, of course, our courgette pasta salad.

In our opinion, this pasta salad with tasty grilled greens makes the perfect lunch, whether enjoyed at a picnic or the office. You can also serve it for dinner – either on its own or with a selection of other favourites, including meat, chicken, salmon, bread, and salads.

The short preparation time lets you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying good company.

You can never have too many pasta salad recipes in your collection. Try a simple cold pasta salad or a Greek pasta salad with rich Mediterranean flavours for your next picnic or barbecue gathering.

Experiment with the ingredients

Embrace your creative side in the kitchen and adjust the ingredients depending on your taste. Try grilled chicken, flaked salmon, grilled halloumi, or tofu. Chicken and salmon provide deep, savoury notes that pair well with grilled courgette and asparagus. When grilled, halloumi offers a salty, savoury flavour, while tofu tends to be milder. Choose depending on the level of savoury taste you desire in the salad.

Nuts are the obvious choice when it comes to adding simple textures and flavours. Toast pine nuts, walnuts, or almonds to enhance their flavour and add a satisfying crunch that contrasts with the soft courgette and tender pasta. Just before serving, sprinkle the toasted nuts over the salad to keep them crisp. Pine nuts and almonds are generally sweeter, while walnuts are known for their slight bitterness.