Heavenly Pasta Salad

Light, vibrant, and bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors, this Heavenly Pasta Salad is the ultimate side dish or light meal. Featuring tender penne pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and sweet red bell pepper, this dish brings freshness to your table with every bite. Black olives, red onion, and creamy crumbled feta cheese add layers of bold flavor, while a tangy, homemade red wine vinegar dressing ties it all together. Topped with fragrant fresh basil and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, this chilled pasta salad is a true crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a simple weeknight dinner. Ready in just 30 minutes and packed with texture and color, this recipe is as visually stunning as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz Penne pasta
• 2 cups Cherry tomatoes
• 1 large Cucumber
• 1 medium Red bell pepper
• 0.5 cup Black olives (sliced)
• 0.5 medium Red onion
• 0.75 cup Feta cheese (crumbled)
• 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 0.25 cup Olive oil
• 2 tbsp Red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp Honey
• 1 clove Garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, slice the red onion thinly, and slice the black olives if not pre-sliced.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, black olives, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese.

Step 4

Chop the fresh basil leaves and add them to the bowl. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese on top.

Step 5

In a small mixing bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss everything together until well-coated and evenly combined.

Step 7

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Step 8

Before serving, taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Serve chilled and enjoy your Heavenly Pasta Salad!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1745.6 grams (1745.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3141

Total Fat 158.30g	203%
Saturated Fat 61.30g	307%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.40g
Cholesterol 256mg	85%
Sodium 7135mg	310%
Total Carbohydrate 316.20g	115%
Dietary Fiber 25.90g	93%
Total Sugars 30.50g
Protein 123.90g	248%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2425mg	187%
Iron 20mg	108%
Potassium 2710mg	58%

*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: 44.7%

Protein: 15.6%

Carbs: 39.7%