This Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe is easy to make and tossed with a yummy lemon-herb vinaigrette.
If you’re looking for the perfect make-ahead dish for your next gathering, this Mediterranean pasta salad is it. ♡
It’s fresh, vibrant, and bursting with flavor thanks to a colorful mix of veggies, briny kalamata olives, and tangy feta. The real star of the show is a zippy lemon-herb vinaigrette that brings everything together. I love how quickly this recipe comes together and how well it holds up for picnics, potlucks, or easy lunches throughout the week. You can serve it cold or at room temperature, and it’s always a crowd favorite.
Let’s make a batch!
Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe | 1-Minute Video
Recipe Tips
Here are a few quick tips to make this pasta salad a success:
- Be sure to generously salt your pasta water. This simple step adds flavor right from the start and is crucial for seasoning the pasta itself.
- Cook the pasta al dente. Slightly firm pasta holds up better in salads and won’t get mushy as it sits.
- Let it marinate. If you have time, let the salad rest in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving so the flavors have time to meld.
- Taste and adjust. Before serving, give it a quick taste and add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed. The flavors can mellow as it sits.
Recipe Variations
This Mediterranean pasta salad recipe is incredibly customizable, so feel free to toss in any of these extras:
- Add a protein: Toss in grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to make it more filling and protein-packed.
- Add a different cheese: Replace feta with crumbled goat cheese or shaved Parmesan for a different flavor twist.
- Add greens: Stir in baby spinach, arugula, or chopped kale just before serving for extra nutrients.
- Add jarred veggies: Add artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes for extra veggies.
- Add fresh herbs: Mix in chopped parsley, basil, dill, or mint for extra freshness and flavor.
- Add nuts: Add toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds for extra crunch and protein.
More Pasta Salad Recipes To Try!
Looking for more easy pasta salad recipes to try? Here are a few of our all-time faves:
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 -8 servings 1x
Description
This Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe is quick and easy to make, it’s tossed with a zesty lemon-herb vinaigrette, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
Mediterranean Pasta Salad Ingredients:
- 12 ounces dry pasta (I used farfalle)
- 1 English cucumber, diced
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 2/3 cup sliced kalamata olives
- 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
- half of a medium red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano, minced
- 1 teaspoon honey (or your desired sweetener)
- 2 small garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
To Make The Mediterranean Pasta Salad:
- Cook the pasta al dente in a large stockpot of generously-salted water according to package instructions. Drain pasta, then rinse under cold water for about 20-30 seconds until no longer hot. Transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl.
- Add cucumber, tomatoes, kalamata olives, feta cheese, and red onion to the mixing bowl, then drizzle all of the vinaigrette evenly on top. Toss until all of the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra feta and black pepper if desired.
To Make The Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette:
- Whisk all ingredients together until combined.
Notes
Cook time does not include the amount of time it takes to cook the pasta.
This was incredible! Even better on the second day.
Thank you Rachel — we’re happy you enjoyed it! :D
So is it ok to make it and save for the next day? Making it for a beach trip! Looks delicious!!
Yes, definitely! We hope you enjoy and have a great time at the beach! :)
Can I sub white wine vinegar for the red?
Yes, definitely — we hope you enjoy!
Delish!! Looks just like the picture and tastes amazing! Thanks!
Thanks Barbara — we’re thrilled you enjoyed it!
Made this tonight. It was fantastic!!!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it Michele!
Hi I am going to make this for my bunco party next week. Can any of this be done ahead of time or maybe the night before?
Thank you for the recipe.
Amy
Hi Amy! We think this can definitely be made the night before — if anything, it will probably be even yummier that way, because the flavors will have had more time to meld and get happy! :) We hope you enjoy!
The cucumber in your photo is not diced.
Yes, we know — you’re welcome to dice it or slice it as we did in the photos (we ended up finding we preferred it diced, after trying it a second time). :)
Can I just use Greek dressing instead of making the vinaigrette?
Sure! We hope you enjoy! :)
I think this is the tastiest salad I’ve ever made. We will be serving it at my place of employment “the Whistle Stop Grocery and deli in Union Pier, Mi. We make a lot of salads Quinoa, Cous Cous, Wheat Berry, Chicken Salad, and many more. I will be adding this one too. Thank you so much
Thanks Charles — we’re so glad you enjoyed this! :)
Picnic season is the best season, and pasta salad is the best kind of salad. This looks so delicious and perfect for the sunshine seasons!
Thanks Karly — we hope you enjoy this (preferably on a sunny day, eaten outside). :D