Mediterranean Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, Olives, and Feta Recipe
A refreshing and flavorful Mediterranean Pasta salad featuring al dente pasta, fresh cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, kalamata olives, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing. Perfect for a light lunch, picnic, or side dish, this recipe highlights vibrant fresh herbs and a bright, tangy flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb pasta (penne, rotini, or farfalle)
Vegetables & Cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup diced cucumbers
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, halved and pitted
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp torn fresh basil
Dressing
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, typically 8-12 minutes depending on pasta type. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta.
- Prepare the vegetables. While the pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumbers, slice the red onion thinly, and halve and pit the kalamata olives.
- Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar (or lemon juice), minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Toss pasta with vegetables and dressing. Transfer the cooled pasta to a large bowl. Add all the prepared vegetables and pour the dressing over. Toss well to ensure everything is coated evenly.
- Add herbs and cheese. Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese, chopped parsley, and torn basil, taking care not to break the feta too much.
- Chill before serving. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and develop fully. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- For best texture and flavor, use freshly chopped herbs and do not skip the chilling time before serving.
- To reduce onion’s sharpness, soak the sliced red onion in cold water for 10 minutes before adding to the salad.
- Make-ahead tip: Prepare veggies and dressing separately and combine just before serving to maintain freshness.
Keywords: Mediterranean pasta salad, pasta salad recipe, feta pasta, healthy pasta salad, easy summer salad, no bake pasta dish
