Greek Pasta Salad Mediterranean (Printable Version)

Crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and zesty dressing create this vibrant Mediterranean pasta dish. Ready in 30 minutes for four servings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 8 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium cucumber, diced
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved

→ Cheese

07 - 5 oz feta cheese, cubed or crumbled

→ Dressing

08 - 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
10 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
11 - 1 tsp dried oregano
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Herbs & Garnish

13 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley or dill, chopped (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; set aside.
02 - In a large salad bowl, combine the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, green bell pepper, and olives.
03 - Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the vegetables.
04 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
05 - Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly to combine.
06 - Gently fold in the feta cheese and fresh herbs, if using.
07 - Chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving for the best flavor. Serve cold or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The flavors actually get better after a few hours in the fridge making it perfect for meal prep
  • It travels beautifully and never gets soggy like other pasta salads
02 -
  • Rinsing the pasta with cold water stops the cooking process and washes away excess starch which prevents clumping
  • Adding feta last keeps those creamy cubes intact rather than turning into a salty coating
03 -
  • Block feta stays firm and creamy while pre-crumbled can become mealy and dry
  • The salad tastes best when allowed to marinate for at least one hour before serving

Return