Mediterranean Pasta Salad
A fresh and vibrant Mediterranean pasta salad made with colorful vegetables, olives, herbs, and a zesty dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings!
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
Salad Base
- 8 oz pasta (rotini or penne) cooked and cooled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- 1/2 cup black olives sliced
- 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
Dressing
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, olives, basil, and Parmesan cheese.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
You can customize this recipe with feta cheese, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables for a heartier meal.
Nutrition
Calories: 325kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 10gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 360mgPotassium: 280mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 450IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2.6mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!