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Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.3 from 11 reviews

A vibrant and refreshing Mediterranean Pasta Salad that combines hearty fusilli with crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, and tangy feta cheese. Tossed in a flavorful homemade dressing made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and aromatic herbs, this salad is perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish at summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 8 ounces fusilli pasta

Vegetables & Cheese

  • 1 English cucumber, diced
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup baby spinach
  • ½ small red onion, sliced
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ¼ cup kalamata olives, halved

Dressing

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried mint
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, then rinse under cold water until completely cool to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Set aside.
  2. Make the Dressing: In a large serving bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, dried mint, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is well emulsified and smooth.
  3. Toss the Salad: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing and toss thoroughly so the pasta is evenly coated. Then, add the diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and halved kalamata olives. Toss everything together gently until all the ingredients are evenly combined and coated with the dressing.
  4. Serve or Chill: Serve the pasta salad immediately for best freshness, or cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully for an even tastier dish.

Notes

  • For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
  • The salad can be prepared a few hours in advance and kept chilled, but add spinach just before serving to keep it crisp.
  • Feel free to add grilled chicken or chickpeas for added protein.
  • If you prefer, substitute fusilli with other short pasta shapes like rotini or penne.
  • Adjust the salt and pepper to taste, especially if using salted feta cheese.

Find it online: https://simpleplatter.com/mediterranean-pasta-salad-recipe/