Go Back

Hot Honey Pasta Salad

Hot Honey Pasta Salad is a delightful and flavorful dish that combines cooked pasta with fresh vegetables, a sweet and spicy honey dressing, and optional feta cheese. It's perfect for any occasion, whether served warm or cold.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Vegetarian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta Salad
  • 8 oz pasta e.g., fusilli or penne
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 tbsp red pepper flakes adjust to taste
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled (optional)

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • Small Bowl
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Serving spoon

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta to the boiling water. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Step 2: Once the pasta is cooked, carefully pour it into a colander to drain. Rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, honey, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Whisk the ingredients together until they are well combined and emulsified. Taste the dressing and adjust the red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
  4. Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped fresh parsley.
  5. Step 5: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta salad. Using a spatula or large spoon, gently toss everything together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
  6. Step 6: If you're using feta cheese, sprinkle crumbled feta on top of the salad. You can either fold it in gently or leave it on top for serving.
  7. Step 7: You can serve the Hot Honey Pasta Salad immediately, or for enhanced flavors, cover the bowl and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. It's best consumed within this timeframe for optimal freshness.