My mother use to make this Mediterranean Pasta Salad when I was growing up, so I thought I’d share it’s deliciousness with you! A super simple recipe, but always a crowd pleaser. And who can say no to a salad that contains carbs? Not I.
It’s been a rough go the last 2 months, but as quarantine restrictions are slowly being lifted, we’re finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. With that being said, if you’re like the millions of other people that stocked up on dry goods (especially pasta), this recipe is a nice change up from usual warm pasta dishes (think spaghetti, lasagna, baked ziti, etc.).
Whether you’d like to make this recipe for yourself during these last few weeks of lockdown, or perhaps plan to make it for your first gathering with friends – or both – you’ll never get sick of this salad. Trust me. It’s been made A LOT in this household. Plus, this Mediterranean Pasta Salad also tastes great the following day (as all ingredients have had more time to marinate together).
What You Need to Make Mediterranean Pasta Salad
- Black olives
- Italian Salad Dressing (I use Kraft Italian)
- Feta Cheese
- Fresh Basil
- Dried Oregano
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Red Bell Pepper
- Yellow Bell Pepper
- Red onion
Side note: If you’re out of one of the veggies, this recipe is pretty forgiving when using substitutes.
A List of Substitutes and/or Additions for this Mediterranean Pasta Salad
- Sun-dried Tomatoes
- Jalapeños
- Broccoli
- Artichokes
- Cucumbers
- Avocados
- Spinach
- Roasted Peppers
I wasn’t lying when I said this recipe is forgiving! You can sub in your favorite veggies, and it’ll still be delicious.
How to Make Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Boiling your water and cooking the pasta is the most complex part of this recipe – seriously.
While you’re waiting for your water to boil, begin cutting all your veggies; this includes pitting the olives (if you couldn’t find them pit-less), slicing your cherry tomatoes, chopping your basil, peppers and dicing your onion. By the time you’ve completed this, your water should be boiling, and you can begin to cook the pasta. Now you can finish up measuring out your cheese, Italian salad dressing and oregano.
Once pasta is ready, strain and rinse it; place pasta in a large bowl and let cool (around 15 minutes). Now add in veggies, oregano, cheese, and Italian dressing, gently stirring together all ingredients. Now the next step is based off personal preference, you can either serve the salad immediately (some prefer it at room temperature), or place it in the fridge, serving it chilled. Either way, it’s delicious.
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Mediterranean Pasta Salad
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Ingredients
2/3 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
2/3 cup feta, crumbled
4–5 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (sliced)
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red onion, diced
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil
- Begin cutting vegetables; this includes pitting the olives (if you couldn’t find them pit-less), slicing your cherry tomatoes, chopping your basil, peppers and dicing your onion
- As your water has come to a boil, add pasta and follow timing guidelines found on package
- Finish measuring out your feta cheese, Italian salad dressing and oregano
- Once pasta is ready, strain and rinse it; place pasta in a large bowl and let cool (around 15 minutes). Add in veggies, oregano, cheese, and Italian dressing, gently stirring together all ingredients.
- Serve salad immediately (some prefer it at room temperature), or place in fridge, serving chilled.
- Category: Bites
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: Mediterranean Pasta Salad
