Summer Pasta Salad Greek Style (Print Version)

Pasta tossed with Greek veggies, olives, feta, fresh herbs and vinaigrette for a cool Mediterranean dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz short pasta such as penne, fusilli, or farfalle
02 - Salt for pasta water

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium cucumber, diced
04 - 7 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 small red onion, finely sliced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Greek Flavors

07 - 3.5 oz Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
08 - 4.25 oz feta cheese, crumbled
09 - 2 tbsp capers (optional)

→ Dressing

10 - 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
14 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
15 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Fresh Herbs

16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
17 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente following package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
02 - Combine cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, Kalamata olives, and capers (if using) in a large mixing bowl.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, finely minced garlic, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper until emulsified.
04 - Add cooled pasta to the vegetable mixture. Pour dressing over and toss gently until ingredients are thoroughly combined.
05 - Fold in crumbled feta cheese, parsley, and dill (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to enhance flavors. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It keeps beautifully in the fridge, so you can enjoy leftovers for lunch without fuss.
  • There&39;s no heavy sauce—only loads of fresh crunch and zesty flavor, making this perfect for warm days.
02 -
  • If you don&39;t let the salad chill, the flavors won&39;t meld and the dressing can taste sharp.
  • Rinsing pasta under cold water stops the cooking and keeps it from sticking; once I skipped this and ended up with a clumpy mess.
03 -
  • Add a handful of chickpeas or grilled chicken if you want extra protein—works great for leftovers.
  • Switch to whole wheat or gluten-free pasta for different flavors and dietary needs without sacrificing texture.
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