Quick Pasta Salad
Bright, refreshing, and oh-so-simple, this Quick Pasta Salad is the ultimate make-ahead meal for busy weekdays, family picnics, or summer barbecues. Featuring tender penne pasta tossed with a vibrant mix of cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, sweet red bell pepper, tangy red onion, and briny black olives, every bite bursts with Mediterranean flavor. Crumbled feta cheese adds a creamy, salty finish, while a zesty homemade dressing made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and dried oregano ties it all together. Ready in just 25 minutes, this light and colorful pasta salad can be served cold or at room temperature, making it a versatile side or main dish. Easy to customize and packed with fresh, wholesome ingredients, this recipe is your new summer staple!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams Penne pasta (or any short pasta)
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup Cucumber, diced
- 1 medium Red bell pepper, diced
- 0.5 cup Red onion, finely chopped
- 0.5 cup Black olives, sliced
- 0.5 cup Feta cheese, crumbled
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and feta cheese.
Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Toss everything together until thoroughly combined and evenly coated with the dressing.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more salt, black pepper, or a splash of olive oil as desired.
Serve immediately, or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Enjoy cold or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
292 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 16.9 g | 22% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.2 g | 21% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 12 mg | 4% | |
| Sodium | 580 mg | 25% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 29.9 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.2 g | 15% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.9 g | ||
| Protein | 7.3 g | 15% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 114 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 391 mg | 8% | |
*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.
