What type of pasta is best for this salad?

Any short pasta works well, like fusilli or penne.

Can it be made in advance?

Yes, it tastes even better after marinating in the fridge.

Yes, it can be made completely plant-based.

Pasta

A light pasta salad with fresh lemon juice, basil, and veggies, ideal for summer lunches.

Per 100 g

200 kcal

1 cup

500 kcal

(250 g)

Protein	Carbs	Fat
7 g / 100g	30 g / 100g	6 g / 100g

Where the calories come from

Protein 14% · Carbs 59% · Fat 27%

Share of energy: 4 kcal per gram of protein and carbs, 9 kcal per gram of fat.

1 cup (250 g, 500 kcal) is 25% of a 2,000 kcal day. 2,000 kcal is the reference day used on nutrition labels, not a personal target.
Burning 1 cup takes about 122 min of brisk walking. Estimate for a 70 kg adult walking briskly (about 4 kcal a minute).

Lemon Basil Pasta Salad is number 2 of 6 by calories per 100 g, lowest first. The similar foods average 238 kcal per 100 g.

Food	kcal / 100 g	Protein / 100 g
Roasted Garlic and Herb Pasta	150	5 g
Lemon Basil Pasta Salad	200	7 g
Garlic Mushroom Pasta	210	6 g
Creamy Pesto Pasta	220	8 g
Thai Green Curry Pasta	290	8 g
Spinach Artichoke Pasta	320	9 g

Nutrition data updated June 12, 2026.

Serving	Grams	Calories
1 cup	250 g	500 kcal
100g	100 g	200 kcal

6/10

Moderate in calories; add more veggies for a filling meal.

What type of pasta is best for this salad?: Any short pasta works well, like fusilli or penne.
Can it be made in advance?: Yes, it tastes even better after marinating in the fridge.
Is this salad vegan-friendly?: Yes, it can be made completely plant-based.

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