Garden Greek Pasta Salad

Bright, fresh, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors, this Garden Greek Pasta Salad is a vibrant twist on a classic favorite. Perfect as a light meal or a crowd-pleasing side dish, this recipe combines al dente penne pasta with a medley of crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet red bell peppers, and tangy red onions. Tossed with briny Kalamata olives, creamy crumbled feta cheese, and a zesty homemade red wine vinegar dressing infused with oregano and garlic, every bite is a balance of rich and refreshing flavors. Ready in just 30 minutes and ideal served cold or at room temperature, it's a versatile dish that's perfect for potlucks, picnics, or meal prep. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color, and savor the taste of the Mediterranean garden in every bite!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 300 grams penne pasta
• 200 grams cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium-sized cucumber
• 1 medium-sized red bell pepper
• 0.5 medium-sized red onion
• 100 grams kalamata olives
• 150 grams feta cheese
• 60 milliliters extra virgin olive oil
• 30 milliliters red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 piece garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente, usually about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta quickly. Set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces, chop the red bell pepper, and thinly slice the red onion.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and kalamata olives.

Step 5

Crumble the feta cheese over the top, and pour the dressing evenly over the salad. Toss everything gently until well combined.

Step 6

Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed.

Step 7

Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or platter. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.

Step 8

Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour to let the flavors meld. Enjoy your Garden Greek Pasta Salad cold or at room temperature!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1235.7 grams (1235.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2360

Total Fat 121.50g	156%
Saturated Fat 31.50g	158%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.00g
Cholesterol 134mg	45%
Sodium 5362mg	233%
Total Carbohydrate 262.50g	95%
Dietary Fiber 25.20g	90%
Total Sugars 15.60g
Protein 64.20g	128%

Vitamin D 24IU	120%
Calcium 942mg	72%
Iron 18mg	98%
Potassium 1867mg	40%

*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: 45.6%

Protein: 10.7%

Carbs: 43.7%