![To make a tasty Mediterranean pasta salad, gather these key items: - 8 oz. farfalle pasta (or your favorite pasta shape) - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup cucumber, diced - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - Salt and pepper to taste Each ingredient adds flavor and color. The farfalle brings a fun shape, while the olives offer a salty kick. The feta cheese brings a creamy texture that balances perfectly with the fresh veggies. You can make this salad your own by adding extras. Here are some ideas: - Bell peppers for crunch - Artichoke hearts for a tangy twist - Avocado for creaminess - Grilled chicken or shrimp for protein Feel free to mix and match based on what you have or what you love. This flexibility makes the salad fun and personal. This Mediterranean pasta salad is not just tasty; it’s also healthy. Here’s a simple breakdown: - Calories: About 250 per serving - Protein: 8g - Carbohydrates: 30g - Fat: 12g - Fiber: 3g The fresh veggies provide vitamins, while the healthy fats from olive oil and feta support heart health. This balance makes it a great choice for a meal or side dish. You can find the full recipe in the article to start your cooking adventure! Start by boiling water in a large pot. Add a pinch of salt to the water. Once it's boiling, add 8 oz. of farfalle pasta. Cook it until it's al dente, which takes about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse it with cold water. This cools the pasta and stops the cooking. Set the pasta aside while you prepare the other ingredients. In a big mixing bowl, add the fun colors of your salad! Chop 1 cup of cherry tomatoes in half. Dice 1 cup of cucumber into small pieces. Slice 1/2 cup of Kalamata olives and add them to the bowl. Crumble 1/2 cup of feta cheese for a creamy touch. Finely chop 1/4 cup of red onion and 1/4 cup of fresh parsley. Toss all these ingredients together to blend their flavors. Grab a small bowl to make your dressing. Pour in 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil. Add 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice for zing. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, along with salt and pepper to taste. Use a whisk to mix everything until it looks smooth and well combined. This dressing will tie all the flavors together. Now, it’s time to bring it all together! Pour the cooled pasta into the bowl of fresh veggies and cheese. Drizzle the dressing over the top. Gently toss everything until it’s all coated evenly. Taste your salad and add more salt or pepper if needed. Cover your salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors mix well. When serving, place it in a large shallow bowl. You can add extra parsley and lemon slices on the side for a pretty look. A drizzle of olive oil on top makes it shine. Enjoy your Mediterranean Pasta Salad! For the complete recipe, check the Full Recipe. To make your Mediterranean Pasta Salad even more tasty, think about adding fresh herbs. Basil and mint give a nice twist. You can also try sun-dried tomatoes for a rich flavor. They mix well with olives and feta cheese. Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes can give it a little kick. For extra crunch, toss in some toasted pine nuts or walnuts. These small changes can make a big difference in taste. If you need to make swaps, it’s easy! For gluten-free options, use gluten-free pasta. You can pick chickpea or lentil pasta for added protein. If you’re dairy-free, try using a vegan feta or skip the cheese altogether. For a lower-carb dish, spiralized zucchini can replace pasta. If you want a different flavor, swap Kalamata olives for green olives. Always feel free to adjust the recipe to fit your needs. When serving your Mediterranean Pasta Salad, choose a large, shallow bowl. It looks great and lets everyone dig in easily. Garnish with extra parsley for color. You can also add lemon slices on the side for a fresh touch. A drizzle of olive oil right before serving makes it shine. For a picnic, pack it in a mason jar for easy transport. This salad can be a showstopper at any gathering! {{image_2}} You can add proteins to your Mediterranean Pasta Salad to make it heartier. Chicken, shrimp, or tuna work well. Grilled chicken adds a nice smoky flavor. Shrimp adds a touch of sweetness. Tuna gives it a nice, salty bite. Just cook your protein and chop it into bite-sized pieces. Mix it in with the salad for a filling meal. Change the ingredients with the seasons for fresh tastes. In spring, add asparagus or peas for a bright crunch. Summer calls for grilled zucchini or bell peppers. In fall, try roasted butternut squash or Brussels sprouts. In winter, add roasted root veggies like carrots or sweet potatoes. These changes keep the salad exciting all year long. You can easily make this salad vegan or gluten-free. For a vegan option, skip the feta cheese or use a dairy-free alternative. Use gluten-free pasta to make it suitable for gluten-free diets. Quinoa or brown rice can replace pasta for a different texture. These swaps make the dish friendly for many diets while keeping it tasty. For the complete recipe, check the [Full Recipe]. To keep your Mediterranean Pasta Salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. Make sure the lid seals tightly. This helps prevent air from getting in, which can make the salad soggy or spoil faster. If you have any extra dressing, keep it separate. Add it just before serving for the best taste. When stored properly, Mediterranean Pasta Salad can last up to three days in the fridge. After that, the veggies may start to lose their crunch. The flavors will still be good, but the texture might change. Always check for any signs of spoilage before eating. If it smells off or looks strange, it's best to toss it. Freezing Mediterranean Pasta Salad is not the best option. The pasta and veggies can become mushy when thawed. If you still want to freeze it, leave out the fresh veggies and cheese. Instead, freeze just the pasta and dressing. When you're ready to eat, cook fresh veggies and add them back in. This way, you can enjoy a fresh-tasting salad! For the full recipe, check out the Mediterranean Pasta Salad details above. To make Mediterranean Pasta Salad from scratch, start by cooking 8 ounces of farfalle pasta. Follow the package directions and cook it until it is al dente. Once done, drain and rinse the pasta under cold water. This stops the cooking. Then, in a large bowl, combine 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup of diced cucumber, 1/2 cup of sliced Kalamata olives, 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese, 1/4 cup of finely chopped red onion, and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl and drizzle the dressing over it. Toss gently to mix everything well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors blend. This is how you create the perfect Mediterranean Pasta Salad. The best add-ins for Mediterranean Pasta Salad include artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, or even grilled chicken. You can also try adding different cheeses like mozzarella or goat cheese. For extra crunch, consider bell peppers, carrots, or radishes. Fresh herbs like basil or mint can boost the flavor too. Feel free to mix and match to suit your taste! Yes, you can prep Mediterranean Pasta Salad ahead of time. In fact, it tastes even better after chilling in the fridge for a few hours. You can make it a day in advance. Just keep it covered in the fridge until you are ready to serve. This allows the flavors to blend nicely. The serving size for Mediterranean Pasta Salad is about 4 to 6 people. This recipe yields enough for a small gathering or a family meal. If you want to serve more people, you can easily double the recipe. For the full recipe, check out the detailed instructions provided earlier. Mediterranean Pasta Salad is a versatile dish with endless possibilities. We explored the key ingredients, how to make it, and tips for great flavors. Remember to customize it with your favorite add-ins. Store leftovers properly to enjoy them later. This salad is perfect for gatherings or a simple meal at home. With so many variations, it fits every taste and diet. You can now create a delicious, fresh dish that brings joy to your table. Enjoy making your perfect Mediterranean Pasta Salad!](https://foodishtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1f1dd11c-a4a0-41e8-af99-3330d109c5c7.webp)
Ingredients
Method
Cook the farfalle pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, chopped red onion, and fresh parsley.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until well emulsified.
Add the cooled pasta to the bowl of vegetables and feta. Drizzle the dressing over the pasta salad.
Gently toss all the ingredients together until well combined and the pasta is coated in the dressing.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Servings: 4-6
- Presentation Tips: Serve the salad in a large shallow bowl, garnished with additional parsley and slices of lemon on the side for a burst of color. Drizzle a little extra olive oil before serving for an inviting shine. Enjoy!