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Avocado Pasta Salad with Dijon Mustard

April 10, 2018 by foodnessgracious 33 Comments

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My Avocado pasta salad is packed with ripe chunks of delicious avocado, peppers, snow peas and tossed in a creamy Dijon dressing.

Easy avocado pasta salad

I have so many pasta salad recipes available on the blog, but that’s a good thing right? Usually, when summer appears that’s when the invites start coming at you for those warm summer backyard pool parties. and because pasta salads are really easy to put together they are the perfect thing to make! This Asian Chicken Pasta Salad is a favorite, but if you need something else a little less noodly, try my Tomato and Mozzarella with tons of fresh basil!

Avocado pasta salad with snow peas

Tips for making the best pasta salad

  • I always like to cook my pasta the night before I plan to eat it because it’s the most time-consuming part of making this pasta salad.
  • Drain the pasta well and toss with a splash of olive oil to prevent the pasta sticking together.
  • Cover it with plastic wrap once cool and keep it in the fridge overnight.
  • You can make the dressing a day ahead too, but don’t add it until right before you eat, along with the rest of the veggies and avocado.
  • I like to keep the types of pasta simple. No spaghetti twirling needed here, I love using penne because it holds the dressing well.
  • The star of the dish is the pasta so let’s keep it that way, add about 4-5 more ingredients but don’t overload the bowl.

Avocado pasta salad

pasta salad

There are so many epic ingredients actually in this avocado pasta salad, but the dressing is something else! Seriously, it’s a rich and creamy Dijon mustard base with honey and tarragon. You could also easily pair the dressing with a regular salad if you’re trying to cut down on the carbs, it’ll make anything taste amazing.

Trust me, this is your new go-to summer pasta salad!

 

This post was originally published on 07/02/13. The recipe and photographs were updated on 4/10/18

Avocado Dijon Pasta Salad

Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 253 kcal
Author: foodnessgracious

This pasta salad is heavy on flavor with an awesome Dijon mustard dressing.

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Ingredients

For the dressing

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp dry tarragon
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper

For the salad

  • 3 cups pasta penne uncooked
  • 2 cups sugar snap peas cut in half
  • 1/2 cup green onion chopped
  • 1 red pepper diced
  • 1 yellow pepper diced
  • 2 tbsp parsley chopped
  • 1-2 large ripe avocado cut into cubes

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta as per instructions on the bag. Drain and cool.
  2. In small bowl, whisk together the oil, Dijon, honey, lemon juice, tarragon, salt and pepper. Set aside.
  3. In a larger bowl add the pasta, peas, green onion, both peppers, parsley, and avocado.
  4. Add the dressing to this mixture and toss gently until well coated, Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Serve chilled on a large platter or bowl.

Recipe Notes

Feel free to switch up the color of peppers to your choice.

Nutrition Facts
Avocado Dijon Pasta Salad
Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
Calories 253 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 135mg 6%
Potassium 299mg 9%
Total Carbohydrates 38g 13%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Sugars 9g
Protein 6g 12%
Vitamin A 15.1%
Vitamin C 66.9%
Calcium 2.8%
Iron 7.5%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

A fresh tasting and delicious avocado pasta salad tossed with a honey dijon mustard dressing. Easy to make and guaranteed to be loved by everyone! #salad #pasta #recipe #potluck #honeymustard #saladdressing #foodnessgracious
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Filed Under: All, Favorites, main posts, Pasta, Salads

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Comments

  1. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    July 2, 2013 at 11:40 pm

    How did you know, Gerry? This salad looks so good – love the dijon dressing!

    Reply
  2. Tracy | Peanut Butter and Onion says

    July 3, 2013 at 4:44 am

    This looks so fresh and summery…. I don’t think I can wait for tomorrow!

    Reply
  3. Tieghan says

    July 3, 2013 at 5:49 am

    Amazingly awesome salad!! I love the flavors!

    Reply
  4. Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says

    July 3, 2013 at 6:29 am

    I think this might be my new favorite pasta salad and I haven’t even tried it yet. I just know I’m going to LOVE it. :) Happy Fourth, Gerry!

    Reply
    • Gerry says

      July 3, 2013 at 2:01 pm

      You too Steph :)

      Reply
  5. Lori @ RecipeGirl says

    July 3, 2013 at 6:54 am

    I love the idea of incorporating avocado into a pasta salad. Looks fab!

    Reply
    • Gerry says

      July 3, 2013 at 2:00 pm

      Thanks Lori, have a great fourth!

      Reply
  6. Geni says

    July 3, 2013 at 9:28 am

    This would be great new salad to bring to the potluck tomorrow. Love the ample use of those avocadoes; so creamy and perfect. Good luck with the dog cone and potty training. Both are trying situations. But they are cute and worth it.

    Reply
  7. [email protected]'s Recipes says

    July 3, 2013 at 10:35 am

    A very satisfying salad, Gerry.

    Reply
    • Gerry says

      July 3, 2013 at 2:00 pm

      Thanks Angie!!

      Reply
  8. The Café Sucre Farine says

    July 3, 2013 at 6:02 pm

    Yum, looks fabulous, just can’t get enough avocados!

    Reply
  9. Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says

    July 3, 2013 at 10:05 pm

    Love a no-fuss pasta salad! And this looks delicious. Happy 4th Gerry!

    Reply
  10. easyfoodsmith says

    July 4, 2013 at 4:49 am

    Love this ‘throw it all in a bowl’ salad. Love such easy to fix and good to eat kinda salads. It indeed looks fab and sounds delish too.

    Reply
  11. sippitysup says

    July 4, 2013 at 9:02 am

    Bring on the avocado for “Fourthajuly”. GREG

    Reply
  12. Chris says

    July 4, 2013 at 10:31 am

    This is a fantastic side for BBQ cookouts and I can’t wait to try it. This would be great with some tri tip.

    Reply
  13. Nessa says

    July 4, 2013 at 11:52 am

    This looks super flavorful and delicious :)

    Reply
  14. Jackie @ Domestic Fits says

    July 5, 2013 at 10:14 am

    The best pasta salads always have avocados. Beautiful job :)

    Reply
  15. JulieD says

    July 9, 2013 at 7:44 am

    Wow! This looks amazing!!

    Reply
  16. pam says

    July 9, 2013 at 8:34 am

    i was first introduced to avacados by a friend in her health food store and i have beenusing them in sandwiches and salad. i recently got my husband toeat them and he is just addicted to the avacado as i am.

    Reply
  17. cassie says

    July 10, 2013 at 8:34 am

    I love this pasta salad, Gerry! Everything about it!

    Reply
  18. Megan says

    July 11, 2013 at 4:06 pm

    Wow, that looks amazing. I never would have thought to do a light pasta salad with avocados and a dijon dressing. MMM.

    Reply
  19. Samara says

    July 18, 2013 at 5:19 pm

    Looking forward to trying this. How long should the avocados stay green once you cut them up, toss with dressing, and put in the fridge?

    Reply
    • Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says

      July 18, 2013 at 5:54 pm

      Hi Samara, I would add them as late as possible, avocados turn quickly if you don’t coat them with lemon juice :)

      Reply
  20. Christine says

    August 4, 2013 at 1:58 pm

    I love this pasta salad. I’ll make up a batch and have it a few days in a row for lunch – still looking forward to it on the last day as much as on the first. Really satisfying.

    Reply
    • foodnessgracious says

      August 4, 2013 at 2:18 pm

      Thanks Christine, I love how it’s filling but not too heavy.

      Reply
  21. Heather @ French Press says

    January 4, 2014 at 11:51 am

    I am in love with this salad!

    Reply
  22. Carole from Carole's Chatter says

    April 12, 2018 at 1:44 pm

    Fab salad! Please share this with the Food on Friday crowd over at Carole’s Chatter. Cheers

    Reply
  23. geometry dash says

    April 18, 2018 at 11:42 pm

    Cooking is an art. Thank you for your great recipes. It’ s so good.

    Reply

Trackbacks

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    July 12, 2013 at 10:37 am

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