Description
There’s something magical about a fresh, vibrant pasta salad that instantly transports you to sun-soaked Mediterranean shores — and this Lemon Herb Mediterranean Pasta Salad does exactly that. It’s a celebration of zesty lemon, fragrant herbs, and garden-fresh veggies, all tossed with creamy feta and briny olives for a flavor explosion that’s light yet deeply satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz rotini pasta (or gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free pasta salad option)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper (red or yellow), diced
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, halved
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: fresh basil or oregano for extra Mediterranean herb flavor
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/4 cup)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey (optional, for balance)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional fresh herbs (dill, basil, mint) for added freshness
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta completely — this also prevents stickiness, essential for a cold pasta salad with herbs.
- While pasta cools, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, and parsley. Halve the kalamata olives and crumble the feta cheese.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey (if using), oregano, dill, salt, and pepper until emulsified and flavorful.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, olives, and feta. Pour the lemon herb dressing over the top and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, garnish with extra crumbled feta, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, or a zest of lemon for that final zing.
Notes
Choose the right pasta like rotini or penne to hold onto the dressing beautifully. Rinse pasta thoroughly to prevent mushiness. Fresh herbs make a huge difference, and this salad tastes even better the next day! Customize with grilled chicken, shrimp, or vegan cheese to fit your lifestyle.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Cook / Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 15mg