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A top-down view of a delicious Shrimp Pasta Salad in a white bowl, featuring fusilli pasta, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, and seasoned shrimp.
Layla

Zesty Mediterranean Shrimp Pasta Salad

A refreshing and vibrant Shrimp Pasta Salad packed with succulent shrimp, al dente pasta, crisp vegetables, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta, all tossed in a tangy lemon-herb vinaigrette. Perfect for a light meal, picnic, or potluck.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 oz Rotini or Fusilli Pasta or other short pasta
  • 1 tsp Salt for pasta water
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil for pasta
For the Shrimp
  • 1 lb Medium Shrimp peeled, deveined, tails off
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
For the Dressing
  • 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 3 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
For the Salad Assembly
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes halved
  • 1 medium Cucumber peeled and diced
  • 1/2 small Red Onion thinly sliced or finely diced
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata Olives pitted and halved
  • 1/2 cup Crumbled Feta Cheese
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Colander
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Whisk

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well, rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool it down, then toss with 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
Cook the Shrimp
  1. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 tbsp olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then cut larger shrimp in half if desired. Set aside.
Prepare the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined and emulsified.
Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked shrimp, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced red onion, and halved Kalamata olives.
  2. Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
  3. Add the crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Toss once more lightly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. For best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the Shrimp Pasta Salad for at least 30 minutes (or up to several hours) before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Notes

This Shrimp Pasta Salad can be made a day ahead. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If making ahead, you might want to add a splash more olive oil or lemon juice before serving to freshen it up.