Description
Mediterranean Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that captures the essence of summer in every bite. This delightful salad combines perfectly cooked pasta with an array of colorful vegetables, including crisp cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, and crunchy bell peppers. Tossed together with briny black olives and creamy feta cheese, this dish is then drizzled with a zesty dressing made from extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and fragrant herbs. Not only is it bursting with flavor, but it’s also packed with nutrients, making it an ideal choice for picnics, potlucks, or as a light lunch option. Best of all, this Mediterranean Pasta Salad comes together in just 30 minutes, allowing you to enjoy a wholesome meal without the fuss.
Ingredients
- 8 oz fusilli or penne pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the pasta cooks, chop the vegetables: halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber and bell pepper, and thinly slice red onion.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta with chopped vegetables. Drizzle with dressing while gently tossing until well coated.
- Fold in crumbled feta cheese and sliced olives just before serving.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Customize by adding grilled chicken or chickpeas for added protein. Use seasonal vegetables for optimal freshness; consider artichokes or spinach for variety. Allowing the salad to sit for at least 30 minutes enhances flavor melding.