Greek Pasta Salad Mediterranean (Printable)

Vibrant Mediterranean pasta with crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and zesty dressing ready in 30 minutes.

# What's Needed:

→ Pasta

01 - 8 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium cucumber, diced
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved

→ Cheese

07 - 5 oz feta cheese, cubed or crumbled

→ Dressing

08 - 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
10 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
11 - 1 tsp dried oregano
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Herbs & Garnish

13 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley or dill, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, dice cucumber, halve cherry tomatoes, thinly slice red onion, dice bell pepper, and halve the olives. Combine all prepared vegetables in a large salad bowl.
03 - Add cooled pasta to the bowl with the mixed vegetables. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
04 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
05 - Pour dressing over pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
06 - Gently fold in feta cheese and fresh parsley or dill, taking care not to break up cheese cubes too much.
07 - Refrigerate salad for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Tips for Success:

01 -
  • The feta gets creamy and perfect after chilling in that zesty dressing
  • You can prep everything ahead and it actually tastes better the next day
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta thoroughly or the starch keeps the dressing from coating properly
  • Let it chill at least 15 minutes or the flavors taste separate and unfinished
03 -
  • Make the dressing in a jar and shake it instead of whisking
  • Cut your vegetables slightly larger than you think you should