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Hot Honey Pasta Salad

Hot Honey Pasta Salad Recipe

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Elevate your summer gatherings with this delightful Hot Honey Pasta Salad Recipe. Featuring a perfect balance of sweet and spicy, this dish combines tender pasta with juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella pearls, peppery arugula, and savory pepperoni slices. Tossed in a zesty dressing made from honey and red pepper flakes, this pasta salad is not only quick to prepare—taking just 20 minutes—but also incredibly versatile for picnics, barbecues, or potlucks. Each bite bursts with flavor, making it a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

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 the pasta according to package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cool water.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  3. Combine the cooled pasta with the dressing in the bowl. Add cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, mini pepperoni slices, arugula, and basil. Mix gently until well combined.
  4. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Nutrition