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Fresh Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives

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A quick and easy Greek pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, Kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese, tossed in a tangy and creamy dressing with Greek yogurt. Perfect for summer meals, picnics, or as a refreshing side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or penne pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain fully.
  2. While pasta cooks, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1 medium cucumber, finely chop 1/2 red onion, and halve 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives. Place all veggies in a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, and 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Add cooled pasta to the bowl of veggies. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly, being careful not to break up the cherry tomatoes.
  5. Sprinkle 1/2 cup crumbled feta over the top and give the salad one last gentle toss.
  6. Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

Notes

Rinse pasta after cooking to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Use quality feta cheese for best flavor. Keep dressing separate if preparing ahead to avoid sogginess. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld. Can substitute gluten-free pasta to make gluten-free. Add fresh herbs like parsley or mint for variation.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek pasta salad, feta, olives, summer salad, easy pasta salad, Mediterranean salad, healthy lunch, rotini pasta salad

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/fresh-greek-pasta-salad-with-feta-and-olives-easy-recipe-for-perfect-summer-meals/