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Fresh Greek Pasta Salad with Kalamata Olives and Feta

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A quick and easy Greek pasta salad featuring Kalamata olives, creamy feta, and fresh veggies, perfect for summer gatherings and light meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces short pasta (rotini, penne, or farfalle)
  • 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 7 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely sliced (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the noodles. Set aside in a large bowl.
  3. While the pasta cooks, halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, dice 1 medium cucumber, and finely slice 1/4 cup of red onion. Chop 1/4 cup of fresh parsley. Add all to the bowl with the cooled pasta.
  4. Pit and halve 1 cup of Kalamata olives, then crumble 7 ounces of feta cheese. Gently fold both into the pasta and veggies.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons), 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
  7. For best flavor, chill the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with extra parsley or a sprinkle of oregano before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta; rinse with cold water after draining to stop cooking and cool the noodles. Add feta gently at the end to avoid breaking it down too much. Let the salad rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. If salad seems dry after chilling, add a splash more olive oil or lemon juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek pasta salad, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, summer salad, easy pasta salad, Mediterranean salad, quick salad recipe

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/fresh-greek-pasta-salad-recipe-with-kalamata-olives-and-feta-easy-and-perfect-for-summer/