Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Crunchy cucumbers, briney olives, sweet tomatoes, salty feta cheese, crisp red onion, tender noodles, and fresh herbs, make this Mediterranean Pasta Salad a totally satisfying, and absolutely delicious summer salad. The homemade dressing is simple, with only a few ingredients, but will transport your tastebuds to the sunny shores of the Mediterranean. Packed with vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients, this salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing side dish for any meal.
Serve it with Grilled Chicken Thighs and Summer Fruit Salad for a refreshing dinner!
Summer salads are where it is at for me. I love this Berry Feta Spinach Salad, Peach Berry Summer Salad, and Corn Salad. But sometimes, you just need PASTA! And this is a seriously amazing pasta salad.
Why Mediterranean Pasta Salad is SO Great
There are a lot of great pasta salads, I frequently opt for this Easy Pasta Salad or this Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad, but now that I have tried the Mediterranean Pasta Salad, it is my go to! So much flavor, and so easy to make! Here is why I love it, and you will too:
- Fresh and Flavorful: The combination of crisp vegetables, tangy olives, salty feta cheese, and zesty easy to make dressing creates a combination you will crave.
- Versatile: Serve it as a side dish or as a main. You can even add protein like grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a complete meal.
- Easy to Make: Short on time? Not a problem, with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this pasta salad comes together in no time and is super easy!
- Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, this salad is as nutritious as it is delicious. Plus it tastes good.
Serving Suggestions
I personally think pasta salad is a great option any time, and frequently make it for my vegetarian daughter, and keep a container in the fridge for quick grab and go meals, but here are a few of my favorite serving occassions:
- BBQ or Potluck: Serve as a side dish at your next barbecue or picnic.
- Dinner: Pair with grilled fish or lamb for a Mediterranean-inspired feast.
- Lunch: Serve alongside crusty bread and a maybe even a glass of wine for a light and refreshing meal, or quick meal mid-day.
How to Make Mediterranean Pasta Salad
You just need a few simple ingredients for the best tasting pasta salad. The complete, and printable recipe can be found at the bottom of the post:
- 16 oz cellentani pasta, or short pasta of choice
- 10 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 Tablespoons fresh mint, minced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make Mediterranean Pasta Salad
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain in a collander, and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, feta cheese, and parsley.
- In a small bowl, or a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the dressing ingredients: olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon, oregano, mint, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until everything is well coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
What Pasta to Use
For this Mediterranean Pasta Salad, I used cellentani, which is a fun shape. However, if you can’t find it, don’t stress, I simply recommend using a short pasta shape like penne or fusilli. These shapes are great for holding onto the dressing and mix-ins.
How to Store
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This pasta is best made about an hour ahead of time so the flavors have a chance to meld. I love these air tight mixing bowls with lids that make storing in the fridge so easy, without creating extra dishes.
Variations and Substitutions
I absolutely love this pasta as is. However, I am a big proponent of customization with food. Make it how you like it. So here are some ideas for variations and substitutions that work well.
- Protein: Add grilled or roasted chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for added protein. Have a rotisserie chicken? Throw some of that in. Pinenuts? A great addition.
- Vegetables: Substitute or add other vegetables like bell peppers, sweet mini peppers, artichoke hearts, or sun-dried tomatoes. Swap out the olives, or leave them out if you don’t like them.
- Dairy: Use a different type of cheese such as goat cheese or Parmesan. I love this recipe with mozzarella, but the feta adds a saltier finish, which is nice.
Tips for Cooking Pasta for Pasta Salad
- Cook the pasta al dente, as it will continue to soften as it sits in the dressing. Not overcooking the pasta helps with texture too!
- Rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly. Normally with a sauced pasta you don’t want to do this, as the starch will help the sauce stick to the pasta, but with pasta salad, you want the pasta texture just right.
- Toss the pasta with a little salted olive oil after rinsing to prevent it from sticking together. This is optional, but a good rule of thumb if you can’t dress it right away.
Proteins You Can Add to Make It a Complete Meal
If you want to use this pasta salad as a main dish, rather than a side, it is an easy pasta salad to add some protein too without totally changing the flavor profile. The three protein options I suggest adding are:
- Grilled chicken or roasted chicken. Really any leftover chicken works well.
- Grilled shrimp
- Chickpeas- very Mediterranean, delicious, and easy!
FAQs
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this pasta salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Can I use a different type of pasta? Yes, feel free to use your favorite pasta shape for this salad.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad is a fresh and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Vibrant flavors and easy preparation, make this Mediterranean Pasta Salad is a must-try recipe you will be making all summer long.
Other Awesome Pasta Salads
- Asian Chicken Pasta Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
- Pesto Pasta Salad
- Easy Pasta Salad
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Caprese Pasta Salad
- Couscous Salad
- Greek Pasta Salad
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 oz cellentani pasta or short pasta of choice
- 10 ounces cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cucumber diced
- 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup Kalamata olives pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 Tablespoons fresh mint minced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 Tablespoon Sugar optional
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions in salted water. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, feta cheese, and parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients: olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon, oregano, mint, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until everything is well coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Notes
Another great option is to drizzle a little aged balsamic over the top of the pasta salad before serving.
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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