Cold Mediterranean Pasta Salad

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!

Why you will love this Mediterranean Cold Pasta Salad

Level of difficulty: Easy. Cook your pasta, chop veggies, shake up dressing, stir, and go!

Flavor & Texture: You can taste each ingredient of this pasta salad as you enjoy it. The zingy lemon and Italian seasoning in the dressing highlights the fresh ingredients in this great side dish!.

Time: It will take you approximately 25 minutes to prepare your vegetarian pasta salad. Save time by chopping your ingredients and making your dressing while the pasta cooks.

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

1. Cook pasta: Cook your 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.
2. Chop the veggies, herbs, and olives: While pasta is cooking, chop tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and parsley. Set aside.
3. Make the dressing: Place all dressing ingredients in a jar and shake to combine. Place in the fridge until ready to put on salad.
4. Mix it up: Place all of the ingredients into the large bowl with the pasta, stir to evenly coat the pasta, and distribute the veggies throughout.
5. 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…
6. Store leftovers: Store leftover pasta salad in the fridge. Enjoy within 2-3 days.

Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe Variations

Can I make this into a gluten free pasta salad?

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!

Can this be made into a vegan pasta salad?

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.

Can I add more veggies to this pasta salad?

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.

What if I want to add some meat to 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!

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.

Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy

Mediterranean Cold Pasta Salad

Meredith

This easy pasta salad recipe is sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next potluck, backyard bbq, or family dinner!

4.72 from 7 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 8 Servings

Calories 373 kcal

Ingredients

  

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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.

Notes

*Modification for gluten free: Use your favorite gluten free pasta.

 

*Modification for vegan pasta: Omit the feta cheese.

 

*Option for additional vegetables: Mix in 1 cup of fresh spinach or fresh arugula.

 

*Option for the addition of meat: Add some Genoa hard salami. I’ve also added leftover pulled chicken to this dish for some extra protein and it was enjoyable.

Nutrition

Calories: 373kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 12gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 516mgPotassium: 416mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 919IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 140mgIron: 3mg

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