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Fresh Greek Pasta Salad

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A quick and easy Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad bursting with fresh herbs, crisp veggies, briny olives, and creamy feta cheese, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced (seeded if preferred)
  • ¾ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
  • Juice of 1 large lemon
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions (about 10-12 minutes) until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and stop cooking. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
  2. While pasta cooks, halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber, finely chop red onion, dice green bell pepper, pit and halve Kalamata olives, and finely chop parsley and oregano.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, combine lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified and smooth.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta with chopped vegetables and herbs. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat. Crumble feta cheese over the top and toss once more carefully.
  5. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Before serving, stir gently and add a splash of olive oil or lemon juice if salad looks dry.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse pasta immediately after cooking to prevent mushiness. Use fresh herbs for best flavor. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Adjust seasoning after chilling. For gluten-free, substitute pasta with brown rice or chickpea pasta. For dairy-free, omit feta or use plant-based cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek pasta salad, Mediterranean salad, fresh pasta salad, feta cheese salad, easy pasta salad, healthy pasta salad

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/fresh-greek-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-mediterranean-flavor-boost/