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The Ultimate Quick & Easy Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette

Close-up of a serving of mediterranean pasta salad featuring pasta, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese.
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Make this vibrant, refreshing Mediterranean Pasta Salad perfect for summer gatherings or quick weeknight meals. It features crisp vegetables, feta, olives, and a bright lemon herb dressing you can prepare ahead of time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound short pasta (rotini or penne)
  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 large cucumber, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
  • 6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • For the Dressing:
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the zesty lemon vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and Kalamata olives.
  4. Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley.
  6. Cover the salad and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. This is a great make ahead pasta salad.

Notes

  • You can prepare the dressing up to three days in advance and store it in the refrigerator.
  • For best results, add the feta cheese just before serving to keep it from crumbling too much into the dressing.
  • This cold pasta salad dish holds up well for potlucks and picnics.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://daisyrecipe.com/mediterranean-pasta-salad-recipe/