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A vibrant bowl of Mediterranean Pasta Salad with fusilli, grilled zucchini, eggplant, red peppers, and mozzarella balls, garnished with fresh basil.
Layla

Vibrant Mediterranean Pasta Salad

A fresh and vibrant Mediterranean pasta salad bursting with cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, briny olives, and creamy feta, all tossed in a zesty lemon-herb vinaigrette. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a light and healthy meal!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 495

Ingredients
  

For the Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice from about 2 lemons
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Salad
  • 16 oz fusilli or rotini pasta one box
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes halved
  • 1 large English cucumber seeded and diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 cup Kalamata olives pitted and halved
  • 6 oz feta cheese crumbled from a block
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Small Bowl or Jar
  • Whisk

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (usually 9-11 minutes).
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and immediately rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Shake well to remove excess water.
Prepare the Vinaigrette
  1. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vinaigrette. In a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Whisk vigorously or shake the jar until the dressing is emulsified and well combined. Set aside.
Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, and halved Kalamata olives.
  2. Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the pasta and vegetables. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  3. Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh parsley, being careful not to break up the feta too much.
  4. For the best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 20-30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

For best results, rinse the pasta with cold water immediately after draining. This stops the cooking process and prevents it from clumping. The dressing can be made up to 3 days in advance; just shake or whisk well before using. For extra protein, add a can of rinsed and drained chickpeas or some grilled chicken. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.