Description
A vibrant and refreshing pasta salad packed with Mediterranean flavors—sun‑dried tomatoes, olives, feta, crisp veggies, and a tangy lemon‑oregano vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) short pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup sun‑dried tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup extra‑virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water; set aside to cool.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, olives, sun‑dried tomatoes, and parsley.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Fold in crumbled feta cheese.
- Adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature. Garnish with extra parsley or a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Notes
- Make‑ahead: Prepare up to a day ahead; store covered in fridge and toss before serving.
- Variations: Add artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, grilled chicken, or chickpeas.
- Olive swap: Use green olives instead of Kalamata for a milder taste.
- Vegan option: Omit feta or use a plant‑based cheese alternative.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg