Mediterranean Pasta Salad

This Mediterranean pasta salad is a fresh, healthy dish made with rotini, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives, red onion, and crumbled feta, all tossed in a bold homemade red wine vinaigrette. Perfect for meal prep, potlucks, and summer meals, it is ready in 30 minutes and even better the next day.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Total Time 30

Course Salad

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 6 servings

Calories 360 kcal

Equipment

large pot
colander
Large Mixing Bowl
whisk
knife
cutting board

Ingredients

14 oz rotini or penne pasta
18 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
0.5 red onion, thinly sliced
0.75 cup kalamata olives, sliced
5 oz feta cheese, crumbled
0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/3 cup olive oil
4 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, pressed
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp honey
0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
0.5 tsp salt
0.25 tsp black pepper

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes until emulsified. Set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. While cooking, prep vegetables and herbs.
Drain pasta and rinse briefly under cold water. Transfer slightly warm pasta to a bowl and toss with three-quarters of the dressing.
Add cucumber, tomatoes, olives, red onion, and parsley. Toss gently to combine.
Fold in feta cheese gently. Chill for at least 1 hour. Before serving, toss and add remaining dressing if needed.

Notes

Salt pasta water generously for best flavor. Rinse pasta briefly but keep it slightly warm to absorb dressing. Reserve some vinaigrette to refresh before serving. Let the salad chill at least 1 hour for best flavor. Taste before serving and adjust with salt, lemon juice, or olive oil.

Keyword healthy pasta salad, meal prep pasta, mediterranean pasta salad, pasta salad with feta