Description
This Lemon Herb Mediterranean Pasta Salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish perfect for warm days or as a light meal. Featuring tender penne pasta tossed with crisp Romaine lettuce, fresh vegetables, kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and tangy feta cheese, all brought together by a zesty lemon herb dressing. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a delicious taste of the Mediterranean that’s both easy and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta, dried
Dressing
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch cracked pepper, to taste
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups Romaine or cos lettuce leaves, washed and dried
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and chopped
- 1/2 large red pepper, deseeded and cut into thin strips
- 9 ounces grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained
- 5–6 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually around 10-12 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta. Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl.
- Prepare the Lemon Herb Dressing: While the pasta cooks, prepare the dressing by whisking together olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon juice, red wine vinegar, water, finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and cracked pepper in a large jug or bowl until well combined.
- Assemble the Salad: To the bowl with the cooled pasta, add Romaine lettuce, diced cucumber, chopped avocado, thinly sliced red pepper, halved grape or cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, sliced kalamata olives, drained sun-dried tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Toss with Dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together until all components are evenly coated with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired.
- Serve: Serve the Mediterranean pasta salad immediately or chill it briefly in the refrigerator for an extra refreshing touch before serving.
Notes
- Make sure to rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking to prevent it from sticking and to cool it for the salad.
- Feel free to substitute penne with other pasta shapes like fusilli or rotini.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Chilling the salad for 30 minutes enhances the flavors but is optional.
- The dressing can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
