Easy Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe
I am a huge fan of pasta salads, especially during the summer months when meals are more casual, and I’m not in the mood for anything fussy or complicated. This Mediterranean pasta salad checks all the boxes. Easy, ready from start to finish in under 30 minutes, and is chock full of Mediterranean inspired ingredients including juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, both black and green olives, crumbled feta cheese, and of course al dente cooked fusilli pasta. This pasta salad recipe makes a big batch which is great if you want to serve it at a summer get-together, backyard barbecue, or bring it to a picnic. I always appreciate planned leftovers for no-brainer dinners or lunches the next day. Finally, if this recipe looks like a winner to you, check out my Loaded Greek Salad. The vinaigrette is almost identical an there’s lots of overlapping ingredients. This isn’t sponsored – I’m just trying to help you save some cash when grocery prices seem to be soaring! The most notable difference is there’s pasta in this recipe. Another cousin to this pasta salad is this chilled Spaghetti Pasta Salad. And if you want protein check out this Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad.
Ingredients in Mediterranean Pasta Salad
This Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad comes together with a handful of easy-to-find and inexpensive fridge and pantry ingredients including the following:
Fusili pasta or other short pasta Red onion Cucumber Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes Black Kalamata olives Green olives Feta cheese Fresh basil and/or mint, for garnishing
For the quick and easy whisk-together vinaigrette, you’ll need:
Extra virgin olive oil Red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar Honey Lemon juice Dijon mustard Dried oregano Salt and pepper
How to Make Mediterranean Pasta Salad and Dressing
This is such a simple side dish or main dish recipe as pasta salads generally are! The flavor is NOT the same at all compared to my vinaigrette ingredients but the flavor profile works with the Mediterranean inspired ingredients. Follow these straightforward steps and you’ll be enjoying your veggie and feta pasta salad in very little total time – just about 30 minutes!
Recipe Variations
One of the best things about a cold pasta salad recipe like this one is that the ingredient list is so flexible. Feel free to mix-and-match the ingredients based on what you have on hand. For example add or include the following:
Artichoke hearts Garbanzo beans Diced Roma tomatoes or other tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes Regular cucumber instead of English cucumber Don’t like olives? Omit them. Only like black but not green or vice versa? No problem, just use what you do like. Red bell peppers or your favorite color of bell peppers Grilled vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, or your favorites) Fresh baby spinach Spring greens lettuce mix or your favorite greens Mint instead of basil or use both mint and basil Fresh flat-leaf parsley Crumbled goat cheese instead of feta cheese
What to Serve with Mediterranean Pasta Salad
If you want to serve this as a stand alone dish for an easy-breezy lunch or casual dinner, go right ahead. Although, if you’re paring it with other dishes for say a backyard bbq or get-together, other easy recipe ideas include:
Creamy Corn and Bacon Salad Macaroni Salad Ham and Cheese Sliders Vanilla Fruit Salad Dill Pickle Cheese Ball Grilled Lemon Chicken
Storage Instructions
The great thing about pasta salads in general is that they keep very well and this easy Mediterranean pasta salad with feta is no exception. It’ll keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days. While you can freeze it for up to 4 months of course be advised that the texture will change dramatically with the veggies. I like to zap my leftovers in the microwave for 30 seconds. It’s not so much as to actually warm the pasta through, but it takes the cold edge off from the fridge.
Tips for the Best Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Salt – Remember to salt your pasta cooking water. This gives the pasta a better overall flavor. A drizzle of olive oil also works but doesn’t add any real “flavor” whereas the Italian dressing jazzes things up a bit. Also don’t be afraid to add salt directly to the pasta salad after you’ve mixed it up. There’s only 1 teaspoon of salt in the vinaigrette which for me personally isn’t quite enough salt to really go around in this big batch of food. Remember you’re working with a pound of pasta, a pint of tomatoes, a whole cucumber, and while the olives are salty and so is the feta, I still tossed in a bit more. Big Bowl – This recipe makes a big batch of food! Make sure to break out your largest mixing bowl so you can really get in there and stir it well. Fresh Herbs – I really love the flavor that both fresh basil and fresh mint lend in general to recipes and they both work perfectly with these Mediterranean-themed ingredients. Fresh is the way to go with the herbs rather than dried. Red Onions – I do not like raw onions in the least. They always just taste so, well, strong. Spicy food is great, but I don’t like the overpowering nature than any type of raw onion creates in a dish. It’s all I taste! To combat that, by rinsing onions under cold water for about 15 seconds, you can reduce some of the bite and take the edge off.
More Easy Pasta Salad Recipes:
The Best Pasta Salad Recipes – There’s something for everyone in this collection of FAST and EASY pasta salad recipes! Whether you need something to bring to a potluck or picnic, or are in need of a no-fuss weeknight meal the whole family will enjoy, these recipes have you covered! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Spaghetti Pasta Salad – If you need a FAST and EASY hit for your next potluck, summer picnic, or barbeque, look no further than this spaghetti pasta salad recipe! Served chilled, it’s full of juicy cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, salty olives, plenty of Parmesan and feta cheese, and coated with tangy Italian dressing so it’s bursting with FLAVOR! Chicken Orzo Salad — Juicy chicken tossed with orzo, tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, and a super flavorful lemon vinaigrette!! Easy, healthy, ready in 30 minutes, and a perfect way to use your garden fresh veggies!! Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad – Big juicy chicken chunks and texture galore from the rainbow of crispy veggies! Fast, easy, fresh and healthy!! Great for picnics, potlucks, and easy dinners!! Basil Lemon Pasta Salad with Chicken — This chicken pasta salad is loaded with flavor, ready in minutes, and showcases Mediterranean-inspired ingredients! It’s perfect for summer potlucks and barbecues (no mayo!) and feeds a crowd. Or make it as an EASY family dinner with planned leftovers! Amish Pasta Salad — A family-favorite classic pasta salad recipe with al dente pasta, bell peppers, celery, red onions, and hard-boiled eggs tossed in a creamy tangy-sweet dressing! Perfect for picnics, potlucks, backyard parties, and events! Everyone will go back for a second helping of this comforting side salad! BLT Pasta Salad — EASY, ready in 15 minutes, feeds a crowd, and PERFECT for potlucks and parties. Creamy ranch dressing perfectly coats the pasta and BACON. Guaranteed family FAVORITE! Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad — The BEST version of a chicken Caesar salad because there’s tender pasta, too!! EASY, ready in 20 minutes, makes a big batch, and a guaranteed family FAVORITE!! Italian Chicken Pasta Salad – Easy, ready in 20 minutes, and showcases some of my favorite summer ingredients. It’s perfect for summer potlucks and BBQs, or as a no-fuss family dinner!
