Description
Irresistible Mediterranean Pasta Salad is a fresh, tangy summer pasta salad with cucumber, tomatoes, olives, feta, herbs, and a bright homemade dressing.
Ingredients
14 oz pasta, rotini or penne
1 large cucumber, peeled and sliced into half moons
18 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
3/4 cup olives, such as kalamata
5 oz feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/3 cup olive oil
4 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp honey
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
1. Whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, garlic, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until combined and slightly thick.
2. Let the dressing sit briefly so the flavor develops.
3. Cook pasta in well salted boiling water until al dente.
4. Meanwhile, slice the cucumber, halve the tomatoes, slice the onion, and chop the parsley.
5. Drain the pasta and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking.
6. While the pasta still feels slightly warm, toss it with the dressing so it absorbs the flavor.
7. Add cucumber, tomatoes, olives, feta, red onion, and parsley.
8. Mix gently until evenly combined.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
10. Serve right away or chill before serving.
Notes
Salt the pasta water generously so the pasta tastes good from the inside out.
Rinse the pasta just enough to cool it and prevent sticking.
Tossing the dressing with slightly warm pasta helps the flavor soak in.
Chill the salad for at least 1 hour for deeper flavor.
If the salad seems dry after storage, stir in a little olive oil before serving.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Let it sit at room temperature briefly before serving for better flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Summer Veggies Recipes
- Method: Boil and Toss
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg