This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.
Do you ever wish you could be a mouse in someone else's house? You probably would have been a laughing mouse had you been there, peeping out of your little mouse hole (nibbling, on a few spheres of tender pearl pasta that had inadvertently rolled your way) and watching Scott and I as we sat down to enjoy this Mediterranean Roasted Vegetable and Pearl Pasta Salad. We'd just finished photographing it and were starving. Well, maybe it's better to say that I was starving. Scott said the blessing and I immediately began devouring. He was distracted by something on his computer (yes, we were having lunch on the couch).
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves fresh garlic finely minced
- fine zest of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- extra virgin olive oil see instructions for amounts
- 8 ounces fresh mushrooms halved if large
- 2 medium bell peppers or 8-10 mini bell peppers color of your choice - I used the minis in yellow, orange and red
- 1 medium red onion peeled, halved, each half cut in quarters.
- 1 medium sweet yellow onion peeled, halved, each half cut in quarters.
- 2 small zucchini halved lengthwise and cut into ½-inch slices
- 3 medium carrots peeled and sliced into ½-inch diagonal slices
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 ½ cups pearl pasta also known as Israeli couscous, cooked according to package directions using chicken broth instead of water.
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ cups cherry or grape tomatoes
-
Combine all dressing ingredients in a small jar and shake well. Set aside.
-
Preheat oven to 450˚F. Line 3 sheet pans with parchment paper or foil. Allow parchment paper/foil to extend over the edges of the pans.
-
Place bell papers, onions and zucchini on one sheet pan. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Stir to coat veggies with oil.
-
Place carrots on the second pan. Drizzle with honey and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Stir to coat. Place mushrooms on the last pan and drizzle with olive oil. Stir to coat.
-
Scatter each pan with a generous pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
-
Place all three pans into preheated oven with mushrooms on the lowest rack. Roast for 10 minutes then stir each pan to redistribute vegetables. Return carrots and mushrooms pans to the oven. Pan with onions, peppers and zucchini should be done at this point. If zucchini is still not tender return it to the oven for another minute or two or until tender but not mushy.
-
Roast carrots another 8-10 minutes or until tender. Mushrooms will take 15-20 longer minutes and should be deep golden brown when finished.8. Combine cooked couscous, roasted veggies and spinach in a large bowl.
-
Leave the parchment paper or foil on one of the pans and add tomatoes. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil. a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Tilt pan several times to coat tomatoes with oil. Place in the oven for 6-7 minutes or until beginning to shrivel slightly. Remove from the oven and set aside. Add dressing to pasta mixture in bowl. Stir gently to distribute. Taste, add salt and pepper if needed. Transfer to a serving dish or platter and scatter with the cherry tomatoes.
-
Serves 4 as a main dish, 6-8 as a side salad
Denise Browning says
Lovely, vibrant salad, Chris...I am a fan of Israeli couscous.
Gracie ~ Food Fascination says
This fresh salad is just what I need to get out of my winter funk! Thanks for sharing.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love roasted veggies, what a colorful and delicious salad!
lenia says
Colorful,pretty delicious and healthy!That's my kind of dish!
Kisses,dear!
Debra Eliotseats says
I love the herbs in this dressing. Roasting the vegetables put it over the top!
Kathy says
Looks wonderfully delicious, Chris! I love roasted veggies…making them into a delicious salad with pasta is perfect for my taste! I’d even be willing to share some with the mice!
Cheri Savory Spoon says
I am craving a salad like this. love it. thanks for sharing.
Muna Kenny says
Amazing salad and the clicks made it irresistible! Chris, you make vegetables look so good 🙂
Kim G. says
Lovely lovely pasta dish... Looks like summer on a plate:)
Beth says
This looks like the kind of salad I'd love, too. Thanks for sharing! (And I have to say that we all get pretty excited about good food at our house!)
- spoonstories- says
Looks so delicious Chris! Even the plate is great! Kisses and thanks for sharing!!
Madonna/aka/Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon says
Love the roasted vegetables.
Marigene says
Looks delicious, with all those bright colors against the pearl pasta. Yummy!
Vicki Bensinger says
Chris this dish is stunning! I would definitely make this and eat it as a main course. Perfect for company as well. Beautiful photo!
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
I love pearl couscous - so pretty! Love that you're using so many herbs and veggies in this recipe - so healthy and nutritious and yummy!
Sandra Lee says
I think I've found a way to cook and serve my favorite veggies. This is the first time I've heard of pearl pasta and I can't wait to try it. Hats off to you and Scott these pictures are amazing.
Lynn@Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
So good and sure looks pretty:@)
Denise Z says
We are not big rosemary fans in our household, so I use a sprinkle of dried mint instead - definitely a hit 🙂 Thanks for sharing and reminding me summer is coming.
Sophia Del Gigante says
LOVE this beautiful and colorful salad! Beautiful photos too!
Sireesha Puppala says
This looks really healthy n stunning!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
I'm so glad you get crazy-excited about crazy-good food, Chris! I love this post for so many reasons and cannot wait to make this beautiful pasta and veggie salad and test it out on hubby. He is like Scott, it takes a lot to get him enthusiastic. But, he does enjoy good food. Thanks for sharing. Pinning!
Angie Schneider says
Your pearl couscous looks so colourful, delicious and healthy as well, Chris.
Ally says
Oh, Chris! You and Scott sound like Ben and me! Except he just waits until I'm finished photographing! So healthy and filling...love love...you're hitting my hot buttons! xo
The Mom Chef says
That does look amazing. I am sure I would be focused on the salad and not a computer if you sat this down in front of me. Not like that's a hint or anything.
Jenn A says
This looks fabulous! I'll be trying this sometime soon!