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Pin by Megan Sten on Holidays in 2025 | Easy pasta salad recipe, Best pasta salad, Cold pasta salad recipes

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

This vibrant Mediterranean pasta salad features rotini pasta tossed with fresh vegetables, feta cheese, and zesty Italian dressing. It's the perfect dish for summer gatherings, picnics, or BBQs, combining crisp vegetables with tangy Mediterranean flavors. The salad is easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time, making it ideal for meal prep or entertaining.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb. rotini pasta
  • 1 english cucumber
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 orange bell pepper
  • 10 oz. grape tomatoes
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 2 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 16 oz. bottled zesty Italian dressing
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • large bowl
  • cutting board
  • knife

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse briefly with cool water to cool off the pasta. Drain well.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the veggies. Slice the cucumber into half moons, chop the bell peppers, slice the tomatoes in half, thinly slice the red onion, and chop the parsley. Set the vegetables and chopped parsley aside.
  3. Once the pasta has drained, transfer it to a large bowl. Add the chopped vegetables, chopped parsley and feta cheese.
  4. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad. Toss the salad ingredients together until everything is evenly coated in the dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste, I added about ¼ tsp of salt and ¼ tsp ground black pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat.

Notes

Salt pasta water generously for flavor. Rinse pasta with cool water to stop cooking. Can be made ahead and refrigerated for 2-3 days. Add dressing about an hour before serving for best flavor melding.