Mediterranean Pasta Salad (Add Chicken for an Amazing Meal)

This zesty Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe combines vegetables and pasta in a delightful dressing.

Refreshing and filling, this change-of-pace salad topped with feta cheese is perfect as a side dish. It’s easy to make and is always popular at a potluck.

Why homemade rather than storebought?

We absolutely love pasta salad and all of its flavor. While store-bought may taste great, most brands don’t use real food ingredients. Instead, they use refined white or wheat pasta, vegetable oils and artificial ingredients. This recipe takes the guesswork out of knowing if your pasta salad is a healthy addition to your meal or nothing more than a real-food imposter. 

Make it a meal

Add a little chicken and you can serve it as your main dish!

Prep ahead

So we can toss our pasta salad together in 10 minutes flat, we often chop our veggies and cook our protein (such as chicken) on our meal prep day or the day before.

Pre-chopping, cutting or cooking ingredients really helps to reduce stress and simplify dinner on busy weeknights.  We know, we know, we’re always talking about meal prep, but it truly is the holy grail to healthy eating! 

Print Recipe

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

This zesty Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe combines vegetables and pasta in a delightful dressing. Refreshing and filling, this change-of-pace salad topped with feta cheese is perfect as a side dish. It's easy to make and is always popular at a potluck. Add a little chicken and you can serve it as your main dish!

Course

Appetizers, Healthy Snacks, Salads, Side Dishes

Prep Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

15 minutes

Passive Time

4+ hours

Servings

Ingredients

Main:

• 6 cups cooked whole grain penne pasta
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes , halved or quartered
• 2 cups cucumber , cut into coins and halved
• 1 cup red bell peppers , chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion , chopped

Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Garnishes:

• 4 ounces feta cheese
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes

Course Appetizers, Healthy Snacks, Salads, Side Dishes Prep Time 20 minutes Cook Time 15 minutes Passive Time 4+ hours Servings Ingredients Main: 6 cups cooked whole grain penne pasta 1 cup cherry tomatoes , halved or quartered 2 cups cucumber , cut into coins and halved 1 cup red bell peppers , chopped 1/4 cup red onion , chopped Dressing: 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano Garnishes: 4 ounces feta cheese 1 pinch red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine main ingredients.
2. In a small bowl, combine and thoroughly mix dressing ingredients. Pour dressing over main ingredients, toss to coat.
3. Refrigerate for 4+ hours before serving. This allows the pasta salad to marinate in the dressing.
4. Top with feta and red pepper before serving. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta, if necessary.

Dairy-free: You can make it dairy-free by eliminating the feta cheese. 

Always check for FfL-friendly ingredients.
We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.

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