Picnic Salad
Perfect for al fresco dining, this vibrant Picnic Salad is a feast of color and flavor, combining tender short pasta with a medley of crisp veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red bell pepper. Tossed with tangy crumbled feta, briny black olives, and a zesty homemade dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a hint of honey, every bite is a refreshing explosion of Mediterranean-inspired goodness. Ready in just 30 minutes, this make-ahead dish is ideal for summer picnics, potlucks, or light weeknight meals. Garnished with fresh parsley and served chilled, it’s a crowd-pleaser that's as easy to devour as it is to prepare.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams Short pasta (rotini, penne, or bowtie)
- 200 grams Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium (approx. 200 grams) Cucumber, diced
- 1 medium Red bell pepper, diced
- 0.5 medium Red onion, finely chopped
- 100 grams Black olives, sliced
- 100 grams Feta cheese, crumbled
- 30 grams Fresh parsley, chopped
- 60 ml Olive oil
- 30 ml Fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, sliced black olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
Add the cooled pasta to the large mixing bowl with the vegetables and toss gently to combine.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss again to ensure everything is evenly coated.
Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the salad and give it a light mix.
Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
371 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 23.7 g | 30% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.4 g | 32% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 22 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 756 mg | 33% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 33.2 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.6 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.1 g | ||
| Protein | 9.2 g | 18% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 189 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 2.6 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 512 mg | 11% | |
*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.
