Boil pasta until al dente. While pasta is boiling, add olive oil to a small skillet and heat to medium. Sauté garlic until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. Drain the pasta and allow it to cool.

Add dressing ingredients – olive oil, maple syrup/honey, sautéed garlic, balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, sea salt, pepper, red pepper flakes – to a mason jar and shake vigorously to combine. (I like to make the dressing in a mason jar for easy cleanup!)

In a large bowl, add cooled pasta, asparagus, red onion, tomatoes, and olives. Pour the dressing over top and stir to combine.

Serve cold, or heat it up on the stovetop for dinner!