Fresh Tomato and Feta Pasta Salad

Bright, fresh, and bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors, this Fresh Tomato and Feta Pasta Salad is the perfect dish for a quick lunch, picnic, or light dinner. Featuring tender al dente penne pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy feta cheese, and fragrant fresh basil, this recipe is elevated by a simple yet zesty homemade vinaigrette with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and a touch of garlic. Optional toasted pine nuts add a delightful crunch, making it ideal for summer gatherings or meal prep. Ready in under 30 minutes, this easy pasta salad is a versatile crowd-pleaser that's as beautiful as it is delicious. Serve it fresh or let the flavors deepen overnight—either way, it’s a guaranteed hit!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 350 grams Penne pasta
• 300 grams Cherry tomatoes
• 150 grams Feta cheese
• 15 grams Fresh basil leaves
• 60 ml Extra virgin olive oil
• 15 ml Red wine vinegar
• 1 clove Garlic clove
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 30 grams Pine nuts (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, halve the cherry tomatoes and set them aside.

Step 3

Cut the feta cheese into small cubes (about 1 cm in size).

Step 4

Finely chop the garlic clove and set it aside.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, chopped garlic, salt, and black pepper to make the vinaigrette.

Step 6

Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and rinse with cold water to cool it down. Allow it to drain thoroughly.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and fresh basil leaves (tear them into smaller pieces if they are large).

Step 8

Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta mixture and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.

Step 9

If using pine nuts, toast them lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes, and then sprinkle them over the salad.

Step 10

Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld together. If refrigerated, allow the salad to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	930.3 grams (930.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2400

Total Fat 115.80g	148%
Saturated Fat 29.50g	148%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.90g
Cholesterol 134mg	45%
Sodium 4091mg	178%
Total Carbohydrate 280.00g	102%
Dietary Fiber 18.30g	65%
Total Sugars 8.90g
Protein 72.70g	145%

Vitamin D 24IU	120%
Calcium 813mg	63%
Iron 17mg	96%
Potassium 1780mg	38%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.5%

Protein: 11.9%

Carbs: 45.7%