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Fresh Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives

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A light, tangy, and refreshing Greek pasta salad featuring penne or rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese tossed in a bright lemon-oregano dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings and easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) pasta (penne or rotini)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced (English cucumber preferred)
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225 g) pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 9-11 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain and rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and cool it. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  3. While pasta cooks, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1 medium cucumber, and thinly slice 1/2 red onion. Soak onion slices in cold water for 10 minutes for milder flavor, then drain well.
  4. Add the prepared vegetables to the bowl with pasta.
  5. Pit and halve 1 cup Kalamata olives. Crumble 1 cup feta cheese and add both to the bowl.
  6. In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, salt, and pepper to taste.
  7. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently but thoroughly to coat.
  8. Add 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and toss again.
  9. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Rinsing pasta after cooking is key to prevent mushiness. Soaking red onion in cold water mellows its flavor. Adjust salt in dressing if feta is very salty. If salad feels dry after chilling, add a drizzle of olive oil before serving. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten-free diet. For dairy-free, omit feta and add toasted pine nuts or walnuts.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek pasta salad, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, summer salad, easy pasta salad, Mediterranean salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/fresh-greek-pasta-salad-with-feta-and-olives-easy-homemade-recipe-for-summer/