Print

Hot Honey Pasta Salad

Hot Honey Pasta Salad Recipe

Discover a delightful twist on summer meals with this Hot Honey Pasta Salad Recipe. Bursting with flavor, this dish features a unique sweet and spicy dressing that perfectly complements tender pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella pearls, fresh basil, peppery arugula, and savory pepperoni slices. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s an ideal choice for picnics, barbecues, or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound medium pasta (bowtie or penne)
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 8 ounces mozzarella pearls
  • 4 ounces mini pepperoni slices
  • 1½ cups baby arugula
  • ½ cup fresh basil
  • ¾ cup light olive oil
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp dried thyme
  • 1 tbsp red pepper flakes (more or less depending on preference)
  • 1½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1½ tsp onion powder
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cool water.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until well combined.
  3. Add the drained pasta to the bowl and stir until coated.
  4. Mix in cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, mini pepperoni slices, arugula, and basil gently.
  5. For best flavor, refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: Customize spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes to your preference. Incorporate seasonal veggies like bell peppers or zucchini for added nutrition. This salad can be made ahead of time for easy meal prep.