Name: Trader Joe's Lemon Basil Pasta Salad
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: 1 pound short pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle); 1/2 cup olive oil; 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons); 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn; Optional: 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved), 1 cup rotisserie chicken, 1/2 cup pitted olives, 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

This Trader Joe’s Lemon Basil Pasta Salad recipe is the perfect easy-to-make pasta salad perfect for warm weather gatherings! Inspired by the popular flavors found in the Trader Joe’s lemon pasta salad , this version is made from scratch, packed with vibrant lemon and fresh basil. It’s light, zesty, and the perfect complement to any BBQ, picnic, or potluck.

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Copycat trader joe's lemon basil pasta salad recipe in a white bowl.

One of our favorite warm weather meals is a cold salad. In fact, this Mediterranean chicken & orzo is a staple! When spring hits, a lemon pasta salad is perfect this time of year — whole wheat pasta, baby spinach, red onion, asiago cheese, and a delicious lemon basil dressing!

This Trader Joe’s lemon basil pasta salad recipe is all about simple ingredients—combining pantry staples like bowtie pasta and extra virgin olive oil with the bright flavors a fresh lemon basil vinaigrette. Whether you’re prepping it for lunch or as a side dish for your next gathering, this recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

This recipe incredibly easy to throw together and can be customized to suit your tastes. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, this recipe is a breeze to make. You’ll have a flavorful pasta salad ready in no time, making it an ideal dish when you’re short on time or need something simple to serve at your next gathering. Prep ahead and let the flavors marinate to be even more delicious the next day.

You can also make a super easy no knead focaccia to serve along side your pasta!

Some of our other favorite easy recipes are Thai chicken stir fry, one pot Tuscan chicken, and hidden veggie sloppy joes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fresh, Zesty Flavor. The combination of lemon and fresh basil gives this pasta salad an incredibly bright, refreshing taste. The lemon adds a touch of tanginess, while the basil infuses the dish with a fragrant, herbaceous note that pairs perfectly with the pasta.

Versatile and Customizable. While this recipe uses lemon and basil, feel free to add in your favorite ingredients to make it your own. You can toss in artichoke hearts, a handful of greens, herby chickpeas, or rotisserie chicken to turn it into a more substantial meal. The possibilities are endless!

Perfect for Meal Prep. This pasta salad is an excellent option for meal prepping. It holds up well in the fridge for several days, making it a great choice for lunches throughout the week. The flavors even get better as it sits, allowing the pasta to soak up the lemony dressing.

What is Trader Joe’s Lemon Basil Pasta Salad?

Trader Joe’s Lemon Basil Pasta Salad is a popular ready-to-eat option in their refrigerated section. This salad combines pasta with a bright, lemony dressing and fresh basil. While it’s a convenient grab-and-go item at the store, this homemade version takes the best parts of the original and enhances it with the freshness of ingredients you control. By making it from scratch, you can ensure your pasta salad is packed with even more flavor, without any preservatives or artificial ingredients.

Trader Joe’s Lemon Basil Pasta Salad Ingredients

Pasta: Use your favorite short pasta like gemelli pasta, fusilli, or farfalle. You can even use a whole wheat or gluten-free pasta.
Olive oil: Olive oil adds richness to the dressing, but you can use any neutral oil you desire.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds that bright, citrusy zing. Avoid bottled lemon juice for the best results. You can even add a little lemon zest to the top of the pasta for extra taste.
Fresh basil: Tear the basil to release its full flavor.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated parmesan is ideal and pairs perfectly with the lemon.
Optional mix-ins: Cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, or toasted pine nuts for added texture and flavor.

A full list of ingredients and quantities can be found in the recipe card below.

How to Make Trader Joe’s Lemon Basil Pasta Salad

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse, and set aside to cool slightly.
Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Toss the pasta: Once the pasta has cooled slightly, add it to a large mixing bowl. Pour the lemon dressing over the pasta and toss until well combined.
Add the basil: Tear the fresh basil leaves into smaller pieces and add them to the pasta. Toss gently to combine, making sure the basil is evenly distributed throughout the pasta.
Optional mix-ins: If you’re adding extra ingredients, toss them in now.
Chill and serve: Let the pasta salad sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. The pasta salad can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Serve and enjoy: Garnish with extra basil or parmesan, if desired, and serve chilled.

lemon basil pasta salad recipe in a white bowl.

Recipe Tips

Use room temperature ingredients: Make sure your olive oil and lemon juice are at room temperature when making the dressing. This helps the ingredients emulsify better.
Let the pasta cool: If you’re in a hurry, you can place the pasta in the fridge to cool down faster. This prevents the warm pasta from wilting the basil.
Customize with mix-ins: This salad is highly versatile. Feel free to add grilled chicken for a protein boost, or some toasted pine nuts for crunch.

Trader Joe’s Lemon Basil Pasta Salad Variations

Add tomatoes: Fresh cherry or grape tomatoes add a pop of color and sweetness to the salad.
Make it creamy: For a creamier texture, stir in a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.
Swap in other herbs: If you don’t have fresh basil, try swapping it out for a little bit of fresh parsley, thyme, or mint for a different twist.
Add protein: Turn this pasta salad into a meal by adding grilled or rotiesserie chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas.

Recipe FAQs

Make sure not to overcook your pasta. Also make sure your pasta cool before mixing other ingredients into the salad. Finally, chill the salad before eating.

When it comes to cold salads, you have to season them a bit more to make the flavors come out. Using a high quality olive oil and seasoning early and taste help!

This salad will last in the fridge for about 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container.

It is ideal to rinse your pasta in cold water to help stop the cooking process. This cools the pasta and improves the texture of the final product.

I hope you love this recipe!