Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Bright, refreshing, and bursting with bold flavors, this Mediterranean Pasta Salad is the ultimate dish for warm-weather dining or meal prep perfection. Featuring tender penne pasta tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, tangy Kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese, this hearty salad is tied together with a zesty homemade dressing made with extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and aromatic dried oregano. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy pasta salad recipe is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or light lunches, and its vibrant colors make it as beautiful as it is delicious. Serve it chilled or at room temperature, garnished with fresh parsley for a touch of herbaceous brightness. Whether you're craving Mediterranean flavors or just looking for an easy side dish, this Mediterranean Pasta Salad is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams penne pasta (or pasta of choice)
- 250 grams cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- 0.5 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 100 grams Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 100 grams feta cheese, crumbled
- 60 ml extra-virgin olive oil
- 30 ml fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow it to cool completely.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss well to combine and evenly coat all the ingredients.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or lemon juice to taste.
Chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together.
Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, before serving. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1776 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 110.8 g | 142% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.6 g | 133% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 83 mg | 28% | |
| Sodium | 3612 mg | 157% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 161.2 g | 59% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.3 g | 58% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.1 g | ||
| Protein | 43.4 g | 87% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 669 mg | 51% | |
| Iron | 8.7 mg | 48% | |
| Potassium | 1406 mg | 30% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
