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Fresh Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives

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A quick and easy Mediterranean pasta salad featuring feta, Kalamata olives, fresh veggies, and a bright lemon-olive oil dressing. Perfect for light summer meals and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
  • 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 cup pitted and halved Kalamata olives
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped (optional)
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 1 large lemon
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, juice from 1 lemon, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. Halve 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, dice 1 medium cucumber, thinly slice ¼ cup red onion (if using), and chop ¼ cup fresh parsley and 2 tablespoons fresh mint.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, add 1 cup pitted and halved Kalamata olives and 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese. Toss gently with a tablespoon of the dressing to marinate slightly.
  6. Add the cooled pasta, chopped veggies, and herbs to the bowl with olives and feta. Pour the remaining dressing over everything and toss gently but thoroughly to combine.
  7. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta; al dente texture is key. Rinse pasta with cold water to stop cooking and prevent mushiness. Marinate olives and feta in dressing before mixing for enhanced flavor. Salad tastes better after chilling for a few hours. Add a splash of olive oil or lemon juice if salad seems dry after chilling.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mediterranean pasta salad, feta cheese salad, summer salad, easy pasta salad, healthy pasta salad, olives, fresh vegetables

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/fresh-mediterranean-pasta-salad-with-feta-and-olives-easy-recipe-for-summer-meals/