Mediterranean pasta salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish that combines the best flavors of the Mediterranean region, making it a perfect side dish or light meal. It’s packed with colorful vegetables, tangy olives, creamy feta cheese, and flavorful herbs, all tossed in a zesty dressing. This pasta salad is not only delicious but also healthy, full of fresh ingredients that are both satisfying and nourishing. Whether you’re serving it at a picnic, BBQ, or family dinner, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
It’s a light, flavorful salad made with pasta, fresh veggies like cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and a zesty olive oil-based dressing inspired by Mediterranean flavors
Short pasta shapes like rotini, penne, or bowtie (farfalle) are ideal because they hold the dressing and mix-ins well.
Yes! It’s even better when made ahead-the flavors get more delicious after chilling in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
A simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, lemon juice or red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper is perfect.
Yes! It’s filled with fresh vegetables, healthy fats from olive oil, and protein from feta cheese-great for a balanced meal or side.
Absolutely! Just use your favorite gluten-free pasta and follow the same recipe.
It stays fresh for 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Yes! Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, tuna, or shrimp to make it more filling and protein-rich.
Great choices include cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, bell peppers, spinach, and artichoke hearts.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pasta cooked and cooled
- 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 thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and let it cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, feta cheese, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until everything is well coated.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Tips for the Best Mediterranean Pasta Salad
🔥 Choose the Right Pasta:Opt for short pasta like rotini, fusilli, or penne. These shapes hold the dressing and mix well with veggies and cheese. 🔥 Cook the Pasta Al Dente:
For the best texture, cook the pasta until it’s just al dente — firm to the bite — so it doesn’t become mushy when mixed. 🔥 Dress While Warm:
Toss the pasta with a bit of olive oil while it’s still warm to prevent it from sticking together, then let it cool completely before adding the other ingredients. 🔥 Use Fresh Veggies:
Add cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and olives for crunch and flavor. Fresh herbs like basil or parsley also add a burst of freshness. 🔥 Add Cheese for Creaminess:
Feta is the classic choice, but you can also use mozzarella or goat cheese for a creamier texture. 🔥 Let It Marinate:
Allow the salad to sit in the fridge for at least an hour (or overnight) to let the flavors fully develop. 🔥 Customize to Taste:
Feel free to add protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra heartiness, or swap ingredients to suit your preferences.
Nutrition
Looks easy! Can I use any pasta? I only have spaghetti. 🤔
Yes, you can use spaghetti! Just make sure to cut it up a bit if it’s too long. 😄
This recipe is absolutely delicious! I added some grilled chicken for extra protein, and it was a hit at the potluck. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nah, this didn’t work for me. The dressing was too tangy. Maybe too much vinegar? I’ll stick to my old recipe. ⭐⭐
I thought feta was supposed to be crumbly but mine was like a block? How does that happen? 😩
Had to improvise with other veggies because I had no cucumber. Still turned out tasty! Will make again.
This salad was so bland! I added extra herbs and still didn’t like it. Maybe it’s just me.
I found it super tasty! Maybe you need more flavor next time. Try some garlic or add more lemon juice!
Bland? Really? It’s a Mediterranean salad! Did you follow the recipe? 🤔
I don’t understand why everyone is raving about this. It was just pasta and veggies… boring!
YUM! Fresh, delicious! Perfect for summer picnics!
Totally agree! This pasta salad is so refreshing, especially on a hot day! 🌞
Not bad but I think I messed up the dressing. It was too oily for my taste.
I’ve never heard of adding red wine vinegar in pasta salad! Is that a thing? It was okay, not sure if I’d do it again.
Yeah, red wine vinegar in pasta salad is actually a thing! It gives a nice tang. You might just need to adjust the quantity to your taste next time.
I forgot the onion and used green olives instead… it still was okay. But def not what I pictured.
What kinda pasta can I use? Does it have to be the shaped ones? Help!
YUMM! Just made this, and I can’t stop eating it. Perfect for hot days!
Absolutely loved this recipe! The flavors are incredible and it was super easy to make. Thanks!
Wasn’t sure about the olives, but they actually made it super tasty! Will make again.
I added too much vinegar by mistake. It was sour like my ex’s face.
This salad is a game changer!!! Who knew u could mix pasta and salad like that? Love!!!
Too much vinegar for my taste. Maybe less next time? Just felt like I was eating a salad dressed with vinegar.
This Mediterranean pasta salad is amazing! My whole family loved it. Easy to make and super fresh. Will definitely be making it again!
So good! But I used a different cheese because I forgot to buy feta. Still turned out tasty! Appreciate the recipe!
This salad is amazing! So refreshing for summer BBQs! 😍
This recipe is so basic, anyone could make it. Is it really that special? 🤷♂️
Yum, yum, yum! 😋 Perfect for summer picnics!!!
Absolutely! This pasta salad is a must-try for all our summer outings. I can’t wait to make it!
I don’t like olives, can I leave them out? Will it ruin the whole salad?
You can totally leave out the olives! It won’t ruin the salad, just adjust the flavors a bit. Enjoy! 😊
I think without olives it might taste different, but hey, it might be better for you! Just try it!
I made this for a potluck and it was gone in minutes! Everyone loved it! 🎉
Pasta salad? More like meh salad. Didn’t impress me at all, sorry!
I actually loved this salad! The flavors were refreshing and perfect for summer. Sorry it didn’t work for you!
I think this recipe is kinda boring. How about adding some grilled chicken or shrimp?
I actually like it as is! Sometimes simple is better. 😋 But I guess grilled chicken wouldn’t hurt either.
Easy recipe! But I forgot the red onion and it was still good lol. Perfect for hot days!
So I hate to break it to ya, but I think ranch dressing would be better here. Just sayin.
I tried this recipe, but I don’t really like olives, so it was kinda ruined for me. Maybe that’s just me?
I dont like olives so I left those out. It was still good but felt like something was missing. 🤔
I totally get what you mean! Olives do add a unique flavor, but it’s great that you still enjoyed it. You might try artichokes next time for a different twist!
This recipe is just too much work for pasta salad. Why so many ingredients? 🤷♂️
I swear I made this but it turned into mush. What did I do wrong????
This pasta salad is awesome! So fresh and tasty, just like they serve in Greece! 🍅🥗
Pretty good! But I added some grilled chicken for protein. Yum! 🐔
Yum! I added grilled chicken for some protein, and it turned out great! Thanks for sharing!
This pasta salad was fantastic! Super fresh and easy to make. Everyone loved it at the BBQ.
This salad was a hit at my BBQ! Everyone loved it.
It sounds good, but I don’t know if everyone’s gonna like olives. Maybe I’ll skip them.
That’s awesome! I’m definitely trying this for my next cookout. Thanks for sharing!
Wut do u mean by kalamata? Just any olives?
I love this due to the freshness, but I couldn’t find kalamata olives in my store. Any subs?
Simple and quick, just how I like it! I’ll definitely be making this again.
I’m glad you liked it! It’s super easy and always a hit at picnics. Enjoy!
Just made this for a potluck, everyone devoured it! I added some chicken for protein, delish!
So easy to make, my kids love it! Even my picky eater! Will make again! 👍
Idk, it seems healthy but I dont eat veggies much. But pasta is okay I guess? Lol