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summer pasta salad recipes cold - A colorful bowl of Zesty Mediterranean Cold Pasta Salad with fresh vegetables and feta.

Zesty Mediterranean Cold Pasta Salad

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A refreshing and vibrant cold pasta salad packed with crisp vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty lemon-herb vinaigrette, perfect for summer gatherings and a fantastic addition to any collection of summer pasta salad recipes cold.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound short pasta (such as rotini, penne, or farfalle)
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 large cucumber, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
For the Vinaigrette:
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water until completely cooled. This stops the cooking process and prevents the pasta from sticking. Set aside.
Step 2: While the pasta cooks, prepare your vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell peppers, and thinly slice the red onion. Pit and halve the Kalamata olives. Crumble the feta cheese. Finely chop the fresh parsley and dill.
Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the lemon-herb vinaigrette: olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until emulsified and well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Step 4: Add the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red and yellow bell peppers, red onion, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, fresh parsley, and fresh dill to the bowl with the vinaigrette. Toss gently until all ingredients are well coated with the dressing.
Step 5: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. For best results, chill for 2-4 hours, or even overnight. Before serving, give it another gentle toss and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve cold and enjoy!

Notes

This Zesty Mediterranean Cold Pasta Salad is incredibly versatile. Feel free to add your favorite vegetables or a protein like grilled chicken for a heartier meal. It's best when allowed to chill for a few hours, allowing the flavors to fully meld. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Main Dishes & Savory Recipes
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 10 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg
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