Versatile Pasta Salad
Bright, fresh, and endlessly customizable, this Versatile Pasta Salad is your ultimate go-to dish for any occasion. Featuring tender al dente pasta combined with a medley of crisp vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red bell pepper, this recipe delivers both color and crunch in every bite. The tangy, homemade vinaigrette made with extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard ties it all together, while briny black olives and creamy crumbled feta add bold Mediterranean flavors. Ready in just 25 minutes and perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or a quick weeknight dinner, this easy pasta salad can be served cold or at room temperature. Bonus? It’s endlessly adaptable—mix in your favorite proteins, veggies, or herbs for a personal touch.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams pasta (penne, rotini, or bowtie)
- 200 grams cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 0.5 medium red onion, finely chopped
- 0.5 cup black olives, sliced
- 100 grams feta cheese, crumbled
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin 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
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
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 cool down. Set aside.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Toss everything well to ensure even coating.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley, if using, and give it a final gentle toss.
Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld, or serve immediately if desired.
Serve cold or at room temperature. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1554 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 100.2 g | 128% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.1 g | 131% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 83 mg | 28% | |
| Sodium | 3278 mg | 143% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 132.2 g | 48% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.5 g | 59% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.9 g | ||
| Protein | 36.4 g | 73% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 582 mg | 45% | |
| Iron | 7.8 mg | 43% | |
| Potassium | 1299 mg | 28% | |
*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.
