If you’re looking for a delicious way to incorporate fennel into your meals, this fennel pasta salad is just the dish for you! It highlights the wonderful flavors of fennel while being easy enough for anyone to try.
Solves boring meals by delivering a quick, meatless option, reduces kitchen waste with roasted fennel, and provides a colorful, filling dish for busy weeknights.
Sometimes, I find it a little tricky to cook with fennel. It has a unique taste, and I know some folks are unsure how to prepare it. This recipe breaks it down simply, making it approachable for everyone, even those who might be hesitant about fennel’s flavor.
This recipe works because it combines the savory and citrusy notes of roasted fennel, lemon, and capers. It only takes about 15 minutes to prep and 35 minutes to cook, so you’ll have a delicious meal in no time. Plus, it can be served warm or chilled, making it super flexible.
If you love easy and tasty recipes, you might also enjoy Brown Butter Cupcakes for a sweet treat after your fennel pasta salad!
Table of contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Flavor Explosion : The blend of citrusy lemon and savory capers, paired with the distinct taste of fennel, creates a refreshing dish that bursts with flavor.
- Versatile Enjoyment : You can savor this dish warm or chill it for a salad. It’s a great option no matter the season or occasion.
- Easy Adjustments : Want to switch things up? This recipe can easily welcome creamy additions or spices, letting you cater it to your taste buds.
- Convenient Storage : Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container for up to three days, making it an ideal option for meal prep or easy lunches.
Roasted Fennel Pasta Salad Delight
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cool Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 portions 1x
- Category: Vegan
- Method: Baking and Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Roasted Fennel Pasta with Lemon and Capers is a vibrant vegan dish that brings together the flavors of roasted fennel, lemon, and capers, perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 kg fennel, firm bulbs with vibrant fronds
- 4 tbsp olive oil, good-quality extra virgin
- 5 cloves garlic, fresh and firm
- few stalks parsley, fresh and bright green
- 1 tbsp capers, rinsed if in brine
- 1 lemon, heavy for its size and slightly yielding when pressed
- 500 g pasta (e.g. spaghetti)
- 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, reserved before draining
- 1 tbsp homemade vegetable stock powder
- 1 tbsp vegan butter (optional)
- 200 ml vegan cream (optional)
- approx. 50 g grated vegan cheese (optional)
- dried chili flakes (optional)
- organic salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Roast Fennel Until Tender: Start by placing the fennel on a baking sheet and roasting it at 375 degrees F until it is soft and caramelized. Roasting should take about 20-25 minutes, and you will know it is ready when the edges are golden and the aroma fills your kitchen. Avoid letting it get too dark to prevent bitterness.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Boil your pasta in salted water until it is firm yet tender, which usually takes around 8-10 minutes. Taste it a minute or two before the package suggests to catch it at the sweet spot. Be sure to reserve some pasta cooking water before draining, as it will be handy later.
- Toss Together With Flavors: In a large bowl, combine the roasted fennel with the cooked pasta. Mix in the juice of the lemon and the capers to brighten the dish. The combination should smell citrusy and savory, and this step is where all the flavors marry perfectly. Adjust lemon to your taste; aim for a hint without overwhelming.
- Serve Warm or Cold: Enjoy this dish right away or let it cool to serve as a refreshing pasta salad. The flavors can deepen and mellow out when cold, but ensure it does not sit too long, or it may lose its freshness.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Expert Tips: If fennel is too crunchy after roasting, extend the cooking time by 5 minutes at a time until a softer texture is achieved.
- To prevent pasta from becoming mushy, always cook it al dente, as it will continue to soften when mixed with the roasted ingredients.
- If the dish is too bland, brighten it up with more salt, pepper, or a splash of lemon juice to enhance flavors.
- Reheating Instructions: To reheat, warm in a pan over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of water or olive oil if the pasta is dry.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve alongside garlic bread or pair with a light Mediterranean salad. Top with additional vegan cheese for more flavor.
- Recipe Variations: Try adding roasted tomatoes for sweetness or include olives for a briny twist. Substitute capers with pickles if desired.
- Ingredient Notes: When selecting fennel, look for firm bulbs with no soft spots. Store olive oil in a cool, dark place for the best taste. Fresh garlic should feel firm; avoid any sprouted ones. Select fresh, bright green parsley and give it a quick wash before use.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 681
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 197mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: Not Specified
- Trans Fat: Not Specified
- Carbohydrates: 115g
- Fiber: 13g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: Not Specified
Ingredient Notes
- Fennel: This adds that unique, slightly sweet taste that balances everything beautifully. When picking, look for firm bulbs with vibrant fronds, avoid any soft spots.
- Olive oil: It’s key to roasting and brings out those flavors! A good-quality extra virgin works wonders. Store it in a cool, dark place for the best taste.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic amps up the savory notes! Choose bulbs that feel firm to the touch, and avoid any sprouted ones for a milder flavor.
- Parsley: It adds a pop of freshness that complements the dish. Go for fresh, bright green leaves, and give it a quick wash to remove any grit.
- Capers: These little guys pack a briny punch that enhances the dish. Rinse them before use to mellow out their flavor if they’re in brine.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice brightens everything up! Choose ones that are heavy for their size and slightly give when you press, that’s usually a sign of juiciness.
- Pasta: Any long type like spaghetti works well here, but feel free to swap for your favorite shape if you’re making a salad. Just don’t overcook it!
- Pasta cooking water: This starchy water helps bind the sauce and adds silkiness. Just scoop some before draining your pasta, it’s super handy!
- Vegetable stock powder: This boosts the overall taste! If you’re in a pinch, you can use store-bought stock or even leftover homemade stock instead.
- Vegan butter: If you want a rich note without dairy, this is a great option. You can use regular butter if you’re not going vegan, too!
- Vegan cream: This adds creaminess that wraps around the pasta beautifully. Regular cream works just as well, just adjust the amount based on your preference!
- Vegan cheese: A sprinkle on top adds a cheesy finish! If you’re not vegan, feel free to use your favorite cheese instead for that extra richness.
- Dried chili flakes: A dash can give it a nice kick! If you’re not into spicy, just skip it, or go easy on the amount to taste.
- Fennel: This adds that unique, slightly sweet taste that balances everything beautifully. When picking, look for firm bulbs with vibrant fronds, avoid any soft spots.
- Olive oil: It’s key to roasting and brings out those flavors! A good-quality extra virgin works wonders. Store it in a cool, dark place for the best taste.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic amps up the savory notes! Choose bulbs that feel firm to the touch, and avoid any sprouted ones for a milder flavor.
- Parsley: It adds a pop of freshness that complements the dish. Go for fresh, bright green leaves, and give it a quick wash to remove any grit.
- Capers: These little guys pack a briny punch that enhances the dish. Rinse them before use to mellow out their flavor if they’re in brine.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice brightens everything up! Choose ones that are heavy for their size and slightly give when you press, that’s usually a sign of juiciness.
- Pasta: Any long type like spaghetti works well here, but feel free to swap for your favorite shape if you’re making a salad. Just don’t overcook it!
- Pasta cooking water: This starchy water helps bind the sauce and adds silkiness. Just scoop some before draining your pasta, it’s super handy!
- Vegetable stock powder: This boosts the overall taste! If you’re in a pinch, you can use store-bought stock or even leftover homemade stock instead.
- Vegan butter: If you want a rich note without dairy, this is a great option. You can use regular butter if you’re not going vegan, too!
- Vegan cream: This adds creaminess that wraps around the pasta beautifully. Regular cream works just as well, just adjust the amount based on your preference!
- Vegan cheese: A sprinkle on top adds a cheesy finish! If you’re not vegan, feel free to use your favorite cheese instead for that extra richness.
- Dried chili flakes: A dash can give it a nice kick! If you’re not into spicy, just skip it, or go easy on the amount to taste.
Recipe Tips
- If fennel stays too crunchy after baking, extending the cooking time by 5 minutes at a time can help achieve a softer texture.
- When pasta turns mushy, cooking it al dente prevents it from softening too much when mingling with the roasted ingredients.
- If the dish tastes bland, brighten it up with extra salt, pepper, or a splash of lemon juice to boost the flavors.
- For a refreshing salad, using smaller pasta shapes like penne or fusilli allows the dressing to cling nicely to each bite.
- When seeking extra flavor, try adding a few chili flakes for heat or fresh herbs, like basil or dill, for an aromatic twist.
Serving Suggestions
This fennel pasta salad complements a side of garlic bread or a light Mediterranean salad. Serve it with additional vegan cheese for enhanced flavor.
You can enjoy this salad at summer barbecues, picnics, or potlucks. It also works well as a meal prep option for a vegan lunch.
Add a drizzle of olive oil or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the dish. These finishing touches elevate the overall taste.
Recipe variations
- You can use 1 kg of zucchini instead of fennel for a lighter flavor in your pasta salad.
- Add 1 tsp of smoked paprika or ½ tsp of lemon zest for an extra zing to the dressing.
- Either swap out the capers for 100 g of sliced olives or use 120 g of diced pickles to change the flavor profile.
- If making a larger batch, increase the pasta to 750 g and adjust the dressing ingredients proportionally for better coverage.
Save This Recipe!
How to Store?
To keep your fennel pasta salad fresh, follow these storage tips:
Refrigeration: Store pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Place the pasta salad in a freezer bag, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Serving Cold: Serve directly from the refrigerator after chilling and mixing well, maintaining its refreshing texture.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Oyster Mushroom Tacos
- Shiitake Mushrooms and Asparagus
- Lions Mane Mushroom Steaks
- Sausage and Mushroom Pasta
If you enjoyed this fennel pasta salad or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
