This easy to make summer pasta salad is a great side for lunch, dinner, the next BBQ or picnic. It is a vegetarian pasta salad, inspired by flavours from Italian and Greek cuisine, made with feta, tomatoes, olives and sun-dried tomatoes, tossed in a creamy basil balsamic dressing.
I am a huge pasta fan and we have different types of Pasta dishes multiple times a week. I love pasta salads in all different variants, especially on days in the summer where a green salad simply does not provide enough substance. 😉
Pasta Salads are so versatile and great for BBQs, parties with friends, as a quick lunch or to take with you on a hike or picnic in the park. Other ideas for quick summer salads are for example my Grandmother's recipes for a German Cucumber Salad or her German Potato Salad. Alternatively, check out this recipe for a refreshing Melon and Prosciutto Salad.
Here's what you need
These are the main ingredients you will need to make this fantastic Mediterranean Pasta Salad in just a 15-20 minutes. Detailed measurements can be found on the bottom of the page in the recipe card 👇
For the Salad
Pasta - Choose you favorite! I used Farfalle, but Fusilli or Penne would be perfect as well. if you would like to avoid gluten, use brown rice or lentil pasta as a gluten-free alternative!
Sun-dried tomatoes will add a sweet and fruity touch to this salad!
Olives - I used half Kalamata olives, half Spanish green olives stuffed with peppers. You should choose whichever are your personal favorite OR leave them out entirely. A great alternative or addition would be marinated artichoke hearts or bell peppers.
Feta cheese - Pick a feta cheese that is solid enough to crumble. If the taste of feta is too intense for you, use mozzarella balls or diced mozzarella instead.
Tomatoes - I use cherry or grape tomatoes as they are rich in flavor.
Green onions - Always a good choice when using raw onions for a salad, as green onions are less intense. You could use chives instead.
For the Balsamic Basil Dressing
Balsamic vinegar - Choose a good quality balsamic vinegar.
Mayonnaise is one of the condiments I always have at home. Occasionally I make my own, but this is one of the rare products I buy pre-made. My personal favourite and kitchen staple is THOMY Mayonnaise. However, it is not commonly sold here in Canada. I also often buy a good quality vegan mayo. Just use whichever you have available and/or enjoy the most!
Olive oil - I like to add some high quality olive oil to this dressing to make it more smooth. Alternatively use a quality salad oil, like grape seed oil or walnut oil.
Fresh Basil Leaves are what will make this pasta salad dressing unique! I would not recommend dried basil as this herb does not retain a lot of flavor in its dried form. Basil is always best used fresh!
Water - Some filtered or bottled water to make the dressing more liquid. The pasta will absorb quite some fluid and the water will prevent that the salad becomes too dry.
How to make this Mediterranean Pasta Salad
This Pasta Salad is prepared within just a a few steps as described below. You will need a blender (handheld or stationary) to make the dressing for this recipe. I use a Kitchen Aid cordless hand blender and absolutely love it! It has become a kitchen staple for me when it comes to equipment!
- Boil Pasta and chop Ingredients: Boil the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water. Once boiled, strain the water, mix the pasta with some olive oil to prevent that the noodles stick together and let them cool down for a bit. While the Pasta is cooking, chop the green onions, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and quarter the cherry tomatoes. Give the chopped vegetables in a large bowl that will fit all ingredients for this salad.
- Prepare the Dressing: Give the mayonnaise, balsamic vinegar, basil leaves, olive oil and water into a blender cup. Blend all ingredients to a smooth creamy dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables.
- Add the Farfalle into the bowl with the vegetables and the dressing.
- Crumble the Feta Cheese on top and mix all ingredients well!
How to serve it
I serve this Mediterranean Pasta Salad with grilled meat or fish, such as these amazing spicy grilled shrimp skewers or this juicy tender Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken by Tristin from Home Cooked Harvest. Occasionally, we also enjoy it as a standalone Pasta dish on hot summer days.
Also check out my other recipes for easy to prepare side dishes, perfect for a quick lunch, picnic or barbecue:
Storage
This salad can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days in a sealed container. However, it is best served and eaten fresh. These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.
See guidelines at USDA.gov for instructions on safe handling of fresh ingredients.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Tools
- Hand blender
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 450 g Farfalle
- 80 g dried tomatoes
- 150 g olives
- 200 g feta cheese
- 200 g cherry tomatoes
- 6 Green onions
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Balsamic Basil Dressing
- 4 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves
- 4 tablespoon Olive oil
- ⅓ cup Water
Instructions
- Boil the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water. Once boiled, strain the water, mix the pasta with some olive oil to prevent that the noodles stick together and let them cool down for a bit. While the Pasta is cooking, chop the green onions, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and quarter the cherry tomatoes. Give the chopped vegetables in a large bowl that will fit all ingredients for this salad.
- Give the mayonnaise, balsamic vinegar, basil leaves, olive oil and water into a blender cup. Blend all ingredients to a smooth creamy dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables.
- Add the Farfalle into the bowl with the vegetables and the dressing.
- Crumble the Feta cheese on top and mix all ingredients well!
Amy B. says
That balsamic basil dressing is amazing! I love pasta salads but had never made a Greek version before, adding this to my go-to recipes!
Jeannie says
I like this salad for an easy and light meal. It's very refreshing and didnt take much of my time preparing it.
Michelle Huston says
We LOVE pasta at our house. I added this to the menu tonight and it was a winner!
michele says
I have a bumper crop of basil this year and this pasta dressing is a delicious way to use some of it up!
Kayla DiMaggio says
Yum! This pasta salad was the perfect side dish to the BBQ that I cooked today!