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Easy 30-Minute Zesty Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Feta

A close-up of a bowl filled with vibrant mediterranean pasta salad featuring rotini, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, olives, and cucumber.
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Welcome to My Kitchen! I am Carla Davis, and I share this vibrant, refreshing Mediterranean pasta salad recipe that comes together fast. It is perfect for your next potluck or light lunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini or penne pasta
  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 large cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • For the Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette:
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the zesty lemon vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved tomatoes, diced cucumber, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, chopped red onion, and quartered artichoke hearts.
  4. Pour the prepared lemon vinaigrette over the pasta and vegetable mixture.
  5. Toss everything gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
  6. Stir in the fresh chopped parsley.
  7. For best flavor, cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the pasta to absorb the dressing flavor.

Notes

  • You can add 1 can of rinsed and drained chickpeas for extra protein and fiber in this healthy pasta salad.
  • If you are making this ahead of time for a gathering, reserve about half of the feta cheese and stir it in just before serving to keep it from getting too soft.
  • This simple side dish tastes even better the next day, making it a great make ahead salad recipe for meal prep.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/mediterranean-pasta-salad-recipe/