Meet Your New Favorite Pasta Salad – You’re the Zest!

Meet Your New Favorite Pasta Salad – You’re the Zest!

Bright, citrusy, and packed with crunch, this pasta salad is bursting with fresh flavors! πŸŠπŸƒ Infused with black tea, ginger, and orange juice, this is not your average pasta dish.

πŸ’‘ Tea-soaked noodles? YES! It might sound surprising, but steeping your pasta in a flavorful tea mixture gives it an aromatic, slightly citrusy depth that blends beautifully with crisp veggies and a touch of honey.


Why You’ll Love This Recipe

βœ”οΈ Unique & Flavorful – Infused with tea, this pasta has a subtle floral-citrus depth.
βœ”οΈ Perfect for Warm Weather – A light & refreshing option for spring & summer meals.
βœ”οΈ Meal Prep Friendly – Stays fresh and flavorful for lunch the next day!


Ways to Customize Your Tea-Infused Pasta Salad

πŸ‹ Zest it Up! Add extra orange or lemon zest for even more brightness.
πŸ₯¦ Boost the Veggies – Toss in sliced cucumbers, bell peppers, or snap peas.
🌱 Go Vegan – Skip the chicken and use maple syrup instead of honey.
πŸ₯œ Crunch Factor – Swap roasted chickpeas for cashews or almonds.

Best Ways to Serve

πŸ₯— As a Main Dish – Add grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp for a protein boost.
🍹 Pair with a Refreshing Drink – Try it with an iced citrus tea or sparkling lemonade.
🌿 Perfect for Picnics & Meal Prep – The flavors marinate beautifully overnight!


Try This Zesty, Tea-Infused Pasta Salad Today!

🍊✨ This isn’t just pasta saladβ€”it’s a full-on flavor experience. Whether you’re making it for a light lunch, meal prep, or a summer picnic, this dish will have you saying "You're the Zest!" on repeat!

πŸ“Œ Save this recipe & share with fellow food lovers! πŸœπŸ’›

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You're the Zest Pasta Salad

πŸŠβ˜€οΈ A Bright & Flavorful Tea-Infused Pasta Salad! πŸƒβœ¨

This You're the Zest Pasta Salad takes pasta to the next level with citrusy black tea, ginger, and orange juice, paired with crunchy veggies, fresh herbs, and roasted chickpeas. Light, refreshing, and packed with flavor!

Author
Sally Valenti
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Servings
2-3
Category

Pasta Salad, Lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine

Fusion, Spring/Summer

Ingredients

  • 🍜 For the Tea-Infused Pasta:
  • 1 Β½ cups cooked Cellentani pasta
  • 1 ΒΌ cups water
  • 1 tbsp. You're the Zest Tea
  • Β½ tbsp. fresh ginger, peeled & sliced (or ΒΌ tsp. ground ginger)
  • 4 tbsp. orange juice
  • 3 tsp. honey, divided
  • 1 tsp. sesame oil (or EVOO)
  • 1 tsp. salt, divided
  • Β½ tsp. Pennsylvania Pepper, divided
  • πŸ₯— For the Salad:
  • 1 cup broccoli carrot slaw
  • Β½ cup red cabbage, shredded
  • ΒΌ cup roasted chickpeas
  • 2-3 tbsp. fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, basil)
  • Grilled chicken breast, optional

Directions

  1. 1️⃣ Infuse the Pasta:
  2. Bring water to a slow boil and add ginger. Simmer for 2 minutes.
  3. Add You're the Zest Tea and let it simmer on low for 2 more minutes.
  4. Strain the tea and let it cool slightly.
  5. Whisk in orange juice, 1 tsp. honey, Β½ tsp. salt, ΒΌ tsp. Pennsylvania Pepper, and sesame oil.
  6. 2️⃣ Soak the Pasta:
  7. Pour the cooked, cold pasta into the tea mixture and toss to coat.
  8. Let the pasta soak for 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
  9. Strain the pasta, reserving the liquid.
  10. 3️⃣ Assemble the Salad:
  11. Toss the tea-infused pasta with broccoli carrot slaw and shredded red cabbage.
  12. In a small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp. of the reserved liquid with remaining honey, salt, and Pennsylvania Pepper to create a quick dressing.
  13. Pour over the pasta mixture and toss well.
  14. Top with roasted chickpeas, fresh herbs, and grilled chicken if using.
  15. 🍊 Enjoy this vibrant, tea-infused pasta saladβ€”it’s a total zest-fest! ✨
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