If you’re craving a vibrant, fresh, and satisfying dish that brings a bit of sunshine to your plate, this Easy Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe is absolutely going to become one of your staples. Bursting with colorful vegetables, fragrant herbs, creamy feta, and a zesty Italian dressing, this salad is a delightful harmony of textures and flavors that’s perfect for quick lunches, potlucks, or a light dinner. It’s incredibly simple to prepare yet feels like a special treat every time you make it, balancing heartiness and freshness in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Easy Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe relies on fresh, straightforward ingredients that work wonderfully together to create its signature taste and texture. Each item is chosen to bring brightness, crunch, or creaminess, making the salad both nutritious and irresistibly delicious.
- Rotini Pasta: Spiral-shaped pasta that holds onto dressing and ingredients, giving each forkful plenty of flavor.
- Arugula: Adds a peppery bite that perfectly cuts through the richness of the cheese.
- Bell Pepper: Provides a crisp, sweet crunch and a pop of vibrant color.
- Red Onion: Imparts a sharp, savory edge that brightens the salad.
- Cucumber: Offers refreshing juiciness and a cooling contrast to the tangy dressing.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Bursts with natural sweetness, balancing savory elements.
- Artichoke Hearts: Bring subtle earthiness and a tender texture to the mix.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta adds creamy, salty richness that ties everything together.
- Basil: Fresh basil provides aromatic herbal notes that elevate the salad.
- Parsley: Adds a fresh, green flavor and a bit of color.
- Italian Dressing: Zesty and tangy, it perfectly seasons the pasta and vegetables.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for adjusting the flavors and enhancing the overall taste.
How to Make Easy Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil; this step is crucial as it seasons the pasta. Add the rotini and cook according to the package instructions until it’s just al dente—the pasta should be tender but still firm to the bite. Once done, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to halt cooking and cool it quickly. This also prevents clumping and helps the salad maintain a fresh texture.
Step 2: Chop the Vegetables and Herbs
While your pasta is cooking, use this time efficiently to prepare all the fresh veggies and herbs. Dice the bell pepper, red onion, and seeded cucumber into bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes to release their juicy sweetness. Drain and chop the artichoke hearts so they blend easily throughout the salad. Finely chop basil and parsley, as these fresh herbs will brighten the flavor and add lovely flecks of green throughout.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, toss together the cooled rotini, fresh arugula, the diced vegetables, artichoke hearts, herbs, and crumbled feta cheese. Make sure to combine everything gently so the ingredients mix evenly without bruising the tender vegetables or wilting the arugula.
Step 4: Add Dressing and Toss
Pour in the Italian dressing over the combined ingredients. This dressing is what keeps the salad lively and flavorful, coating each piece of pasta and vegetable with tangy zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then toss everything gently until all components are well-coated but not drenched. It’s all about balance here!
Step 5: Chill and Serve
Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld beautifully, giving the salad a harmonious taste. Plus, serving it cool makes it incredibly refreshing—especially on a warm day or when you want a light, clean finish to your meal.
How to Serve Easy Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe
Garnishes
To add an extra touch of appeal, consider sprinkling some freshly chopped basil or parsley over the top just before serving. A few whole cherry tomatoes or a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can also enhance the presentation and flavor. If you love a little heat, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes provides a subtle kick that elevates the dish.
Side Dishes
This Easy Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, fish, or even a plate of hummus and pita bread for a perfect Mediterranean-inspired meal. It’s also a fantastic side to hearty sandwiches or barbecued dishes, bringing freshness and color to the table while balancing heavier flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a vibrant picnic or party, serve this pasta salad in a colorful glass bowl or individual mason jars for easy portion control. You can also layer the ingredients in a trifle dish, where the stunning layers of veggies, herbs, and cheese create a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Don’t hesitate to add edible flowers or microgreens for a gourmet touch!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Easy Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to meld over time, though the salad is best enjoyed within this period to keep the vegetables crisp and fresh.
Freezing
Because this salad contains fresh vegetables and cheese, freezing is not recommended as it changes the texture and can make the salad watery upon thawing. It’s best to make only what you plan to eat within a few days for peak freshness.
Reheating
This pasta salad is designed to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so reheating is unnecessary. Simply take it out of the fridge and let it sit for a few minutes to take the chill off if desired. Toss gently before serving to refresh the flavors.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While rotini is great for holding the dressing, other short pasta shapes like penne, farfalle, or fusilli work just as well in this recipe.
Is this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
This salad is vegetarian thanks to the feta cheese, but to make it vegan, simply substitute the feta with a plant-based cheese or omit it entirely and increase the herbs for flavor.
Can I add protein to this pasta salad?
Yes, adding grilled chicken, chickpeas, or even cooked shrimp makes it a more substantial meal and complements the Mediterranean flavors beautifully.
How long should I marinate the salad?
For best flavor, chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes is recommended, but it can be made several hours ahead to let the dressing fully permeate all the ingredients.
What if I don’t have Italian dressing on hand?
You can easily whip up a simple dressing with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper as a fresh substitute that tastes just as delightful.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe is a shining example of how simple ingredients and a few fresh herbs can come together to create something truly special. It’s a dish that feels both homey and elegant, perfect for any occasion. I encourage you to try it soon—you might just find yourself reaching for it again and again whenever you want a fast, healthy, and incredibly tasty meal.
Print
Easy Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing and easy-to-make Pasta Salad featuring rotini pasta, fresh vegetables, herbs, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect as a side dish or a light meal, this salad combines crisp textures with vibrant flavors, ready in just 15 minutes plus chilling time.
Ingredients
Pasta & Vegetables
- 1 lb dried rotini pasta, cooked
- 2 cups arugula
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 red onion, diced
- 1 cucumber, seeded and diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 (12 oz) jar artichoke hearts in water, drained and diced
Herbs & Cheese
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ⅓ cup basil, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup parsley, finely chopped
Dressing
- 1 ¼ cups Italian dressing
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta quickly.
- Chop the Vegetables and Herbs: While the pasta cooks, dice the bell pepper, red onion, seeded cucumber, and halve the cherry tomatoes. Drain and chop the artichoke hearts. Finely chop the basil and parsley.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked pasta, arugula, diced vegetables, artichoke hearts, herbs, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Add Dressing and Toss: Pour the Italian dressing over the salad ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss everything gently until well combined.
- Chill and Serve: Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly.
Notes
- Use cold water to rinse pasta to prevent it from sticking and to cool it quickly.
- Adjust vegetables and herbs to your preference or what’s seasonal and fresh.
- For a vegan version, substitute feta cheese with a plant-based alternative.
- Make sure to drain the artichoke hearts well to avoid watering down the salad.
- Chilling time is important but you can also serve immediately if short on time.
