Mediterranean pasta salad is a quick, easy side dish, full of Greek flavors! Make this recipe for your summer potlucks and barbecues!
Salty Kalamata olives and feta cheese balance fresh, sweet tomatoes, while cucumbers add a refreshing crunch. Skip the deli counter salads, which are usually overloaded with mayonnaise and lacking in flavor. This Mediterranean pasta salad recipe will soon become a staple recipe in your kitchen!
Pasta salad isn’t usually something I gravitate toward, mainly because I associate it with the stuff sold at deli counters. In my opinion, those typically aren’t very good. Kind of mushy and bland.
Preparing homemade pasta salad gives you control over each ingredient. You can made sure the pasta is just slightly chewy (aka al dente) and the ingredients are fresh and bright.
With this type of pasta salad, you want be able to detect individual flavors and textures, which will muddle after sitting in the dressing for a few days.
Pasta salad dressing doesn’t have to be heavy; I prefer it without any mayo at all. This version is more like the vinaigrette you’ll find on a typical greens salad.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
- Pasta (rotini or fusilli are good options)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Red wine vinegar
- Garlic
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Cucumber
- Grape tomatoes
- Red onion (shallots may be substituted)
- Kalamata olives
- Feta cheese (I recommend purchasing a block and crumbling it yourself)
UNDERSTANDING FLAVOR BALANCE
When they are developed well, recipes will usually have a good balance of 5 tastes:
- sweet
- salty
- bitter
- sour
- umami
This is just one of the reasons I think you will enjoy this salad. You can easily identify the different tastes.
Tomatoes add just the right amount of sweetness.
Kalamata olives and feta cheese add saltiness.
Cucumbers add a hint of bitterness.
Lemon juice and red wine vinegar add acidity.
HOW TO MAKE MEDITERRANEAN PASTA SALAD
This rotini pasta salad is so easy to prepare. The most time consuming part is chopping the fresh produce, which still shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
- Cook the pasta, then drain and set aside.
- Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, and seasonings.
- Combine the pasta with the remaining ingredients as well as the dressing.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if desired.
RECIPE TIPS
- For a lighter side dish, this recipe also works with salad greens such as baby spinach or arugula instead of pasta.
My Greek Salad recipe is very similar to this one, but it doesn’t include pasta.
- If you find the red onion and garlic to be overpowering, you can cut back on them, or use shallots instead.
I always flash back to the judge on Chopped who lost his mind when any of the contestants used raw red onions.
- While I prefer using fresh herbs (especially in the summer when my garden is up and running), you can substitute dried herbs.
Always remember this ratio: 1 tablespoon fresh herbs = 1 teaspoon dried herbs.
How Long Does Pasta Salad Last?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. However, because of the fresh vegetables combined with dressing, the rotini pasta salad tastes best eaten within the first 3 days.
After that, the cucumbers will begin losing their crunch and the tomatoes will turn soft. In general, the flavors will become a bit more muddled. If you’re making this in advance for a party, I wouldn’t prepare it more than 1-2 days ahead of time.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Pasta salads are associated with summer picnics and backyard BBQs for a reason. They pair wonderfully with grilled meats and vegetables. This Mediterranean pasta salad goes especially well with grilled chicken!
If you’re looking for other Mediterranean-inspired recipes to serve alongside this pasta salad, my hummus is an easy dip that comes together in no time. My Mediterranean Salad with Roasted Tomato Vinaigrette is also a nice option. Or how about one of my favorite desserts, baklava? This baklava from Simply Recipes looks amazing.
