Mediterranean Pasta Salad Olives (Printable)

A vibrant pasta bursting with olives, fresh vegetables, feta, and tangy vinaigrette for a light, flavorful dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 small cucumber, diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

→ Olives & Cheese

06 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
07 - 1/2 cup green olives, pitted and halved
08 - 3.5 oz feta cheese, crumbled

→ Fresh Herbs

09 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
10 - 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

→ Vinaigrette

11 - 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
13 - 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
14 - 1 garlic clove, minced
15 - 1 tsp dried oregano
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, Kalamata olives, green olives, feta cheese, parsley, and basil.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
05 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for 1 hour to let the flavors meld together. The salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pasta actually tastes better after sitting in the vinaigrette, making it perfect for meal prep
  • One bite transports you straight to a sunny Greek island taverna
  • It is the ultimate crowd pleaser that disappears at every gathering
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta immediately after draining, or it will clump together as it cools
  • The salad tastes significantly better after an hour in the refrigerator
  • Wait until just before serving to add the fresh basil to prevent browning
03 -
  • Invest in good quality olives from the olive bar rather than jarred varieties
  • Let the salad come to room temperature for 15 minutes before serving

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