This Mediterranean pasta salad recipe is made with whole wheat pasta, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, kalamata olives, feta cheese, fresh parsley, and a simple homemade dressing. It’s light, filling, and a perfect addition to parties and gatherings of all kinds!
After spending a decade as a vegetarian, I know how hard it can be to show up at a party and find a beautiful spread filled with things you can’t eat. I created this recipe to bring along with me to parties so I always knew there would be a yummy option I could enjoy. But it’s also a bit hit with meat-eaters too!
And I love that this vegetarian pasta salad recipe is also a nutritious twist to a classic summer side dish thanks to purposefully choosing whole wheat pasta and lots of fresh veggies. Just follow our simple 5 step directions and you’ll have a delicious and flavorful batch of this cold Mediterranean pasta salad made up in no time!
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love this Mediterranean Cold Pasta Salad
- Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients
- How to Make Mediterranean Cold Pasta Salad
- How to Serve this Cold Mediterranean Pasta Salad
- How to Store Cold Mediterranean Pasta Salad
- Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe Variations and FAQs
- Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy
- Mediterranean Cold Pasta Salad
Why You Will Love this Mediterranean Cold Pasta Salad
Ready in Just 25 Minutes. This simple recipe comes together in under 30 minutes with easy prep and cooking.
Fresh and Flavorful. Each ingredient shines through with zingy lemon dressing that highlights the tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta perfectly.
Works for Everyone. This vegetarian dish is a hit with both vegetarians and meat-eaters, making it perfect for parties and gatherings.
Nutritious and Filling. Whole wheat pasta adds extra fiber and protein while fresh vegetables make this a satisfying, wholesome side dish.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients
- Whole Wheat Pasta: Like many kinds of carbs, whole wheat is a healthier option for you. Whole wheat pasta is a little chewier than regular pasta which is very enjoyable in a pasta salad! It also has more fiber, is lower in calories, and often has more protein than it’s regular counterpart.
- Fresh Veggies & Herbs: Fresh cherry tomatoes, English cucumber, and parsley brighten this light easy side dish recipe.
- Kalamata Olives: A classic flavor in many Mediterranean dishes, Kalamata olives add a great pop of flavor to this pasta salad recipe
- Feta Cheese: This tangy and salty cheese complements the fresh veggies and herbs, zingy lemon in the dressing, and really enhances the flavor of this dish
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make Mediterranean Cold Pasta Salad
Cook pasta according to the package directions until it is al dente. Rinse the pasta with cold water and place it in a large bowl. If you’re still chopping the other ingredients, place the bowl of pasta in the fridge to stay cool.
Chop the veggies, herbs, and olives while the pasta is cooking, chop tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and parsley. Set aside.
Make the dressing by placing all the dressing ingredients into a jar and shake to combine. Place in the fridge until ready to put on the salad.
Toss the salad by placing all ingredients into the large bowl with the pasta, stir to evenly coat the pasta, and distribute the veggies throughout.
Chill until ready to serve. If you’re like me, you’ve probably already taken a bite or two…you know, just to make sure it’s great…
Store leftovers in the fridge and enjoy them within 2-3 days.
How to Serve this Cold Mediterranean Pasta Salad
For the absolute best flavor and texture, serve your pasta salad at room temperature. To do this, set it out 20-30 minutes ahead of serving if enjoying indoors. If bringing your pasta salad to an outdoor party, keep cold as long as possible for maximum freshness.
How to Store Cold Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Dressed pasta salad will taste best the first day, but if you have leftovers, store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe Variations and FAQs
Yes! Use your favorite gluten free pasta and you’ve got yourself a delicious gluten free pasta salad! Your local grocery store should have a variety of gluten free pasta options to choose from. If not, order online!
Yes! Vegan pasta salads can be hard to come by, but luckily you can transform this vegetarian pasta salad into a vegan pasta salad recipe pretty easily by omitting the feta cheese! You could also replace the feta cheese with a vegan friendly alternative.
I’m always down for more veggies! You could mix in 1 cup of fresh spinach or fresh arugula if you’re looking for even more goodness in this pasta salad.
You do you! Cutting up and adding some Genoa hard salami would be a great option! I’ve also added pulled chicken to this dish for some extra protein (because we often make large batches of this to eat in various ways throughout the week) and it was yummy!
Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy
Mediterranean Cold Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Pasta Salad
- 1 lb whole wheat pasta I use rotini
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes washed and halved
- 2 mini English cucumbers washed and cut into quarter moons (approx. ⅔-1 C)
- 6 oz pitted Kalamata olives drained and halved
- ⅔-1 C parsley washed and finely chopped
- 4 oz feta cheese crumbled
Dressing
- ⅓ C olive oil
- 3 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta to al dente according to package directions. Rinse with cold water and place in a large bowl. If you’re still chopping the other ingredients, place the bowl of pasta in the fridge to stay cool.
- While pasta is cooking, chop tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and parsley. Set aside.
- Place all dressing ingredients in a jar and shake to combine. Place in the fridge until ready to put on salad.
- Place all ingredients in the large bowl with the pasta and stir to evenly coat the pasta and distribute the veggies throughout.
- Chill until ready to serve.
Ashley T. says
We made this one yesterday for our Father’s Day BBQ and it was a great! I love kalamata olives, so I maayyy have added a bit more than the recipe called for 😉 Great recipe, and will definitely make again!
ourlovelanguageisfood says
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed this at your BBQ! Thanks so much for making my recipe.
Amanda says
If you’re looking for a quick, SUPER flavorful pasta salad, this is it!! My family inhaled this, I will definitely make again
ourlovelanguageisfood says
I’m so glad to hear that your family loved this pasta salad too! Thank you for making my recipe