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mediterranean healthy pasta salad recipe - Mediterranean Healthy Pasta Salad served in a white bowl overhead view
Chloe

Mediterranean Healthy Pasta Salad

mediterranean healthy pasta salad recipe made easy at home. A vibrant, herb-flecked pasta salad bursting with garden-fresh vegetables and a zesty lemon-oregan
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 312

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 12 oz whole wheat rotini or fusilli about 4 cups dry
Vegetables & Olives
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 English cucumber quartered and sliced (about 1.5 cups)
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • ½ medium red onion thinly sliced
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives pitted and halved
Herbs & Cheese
  • ⅓ cup fresh parsley chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh dill chopped
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese plus extra for garnish
Lemon-Oregano Dressing
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling pasta
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice about 1 large lemon
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ½ tsp Dijon mustard
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat rotini and cook according to package directions until al dente (about 8–10 minutes). Drain and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and drizzle with the reserved teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil to prevent sticking.
  2. While the pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the cucumber, dice the red bell pepper, thinly slice the red onion, and halve the olives. Place them in a separate large bowl as you go.
  3. In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
  4. Add the prepared vegetables, olives, chopped parsley, chopped dill, and crumbled feta to the bowl of cooled pasta. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 15–30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.