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Sweet & Spicy Hot Honey Pasta Salad – Easy 20-Min Recipe

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This sweet & spicy hot honey pasta salad is a quick and easy 20-minute recipe that’s perfect for last-minute cookouts, weeknight dinners, or meal prep. The hot honey dressing, bloomed with garlic and red pepper flakes, coats every piece of pasta and crunchy vegetable for a bold, crowd-pleasing flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) short pasta (like rotini, farfalle, or penne)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup diced cucumber
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, soaked in cold water for 5 minutes and drained
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or parsley
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 1/3 cup hot honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the 8 ounces (225g) of pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse briefly with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Bloom the Aromatics: While the pasta is cooking, place a small skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the 1/3 cup of hot honey, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and the 2 minced garlic cloves. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant and just starting to turn golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  3. Build the Dressing: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Whisk to combine. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness as desired.
  4. Combine the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion. Pour the warm hot honey dressing over the top. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly, making sure every piece of pasta and every vegetable is coated. If the salad seems dry, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water to help loosen the dressing.
  5. Finish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh basil or parsley over the top. If using feta cheese, crumble it over the salad now. Give it one final gentle toss. Serve immediately, warm, or at room temperature. For best flavor, let it sit for about 10 minutes after tossing to allow the flavors to meld.

Notes

For a milder version, use regular honey and skip the red pepper flakes. For extra heat, add a chopped fresh jalapeño or serrano pepper along with the garlic. The salad can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator; flavors deepen over time. To revive leftovers, drizzle with a little extra olive oil or vinegar.

Nutrition

Keywords: hot honey pasta salad, sweet and spicy pasta salad, easy pasta salad, 20-minute recipe, summer side dish, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/sweet-and-spicy-hot-honey-pasta-salad-easy-20-min-recipe/