Summer Pasta Greek Olives Feta (Print Version)

Fresh Greek-inspired pasta salad with olives, feta, cucumber, tomatoes, and herbs. Easy to prepare and full of flavor.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz short pasta such as penne, fusilli, or farfalle
02 - Salt, for boiling water

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium cucumber, diced
04 - 7 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 small red onion, finely sliced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Greek Flavors

07 - 3.5 oz Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
08 - 4.25 oz feta cheese, crumbled
09 - 2 tbsp capers (optional)

→ Dressing

10 - 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
14 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
15 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Fresh Herbs

16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
17 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a brisk boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, following package guidance. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to halt cooking. Set aside.
02 - In a spacious mixing bowl, combine diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, diced red bell pepper, Kalamata olives, and capers if desired.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, vigorously whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, minced garlic, sea salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
04 - Add cooled pasta to the vegetable mixture. Pour dressing over the contents and toss gently to ensure even coating.
05 - Fold in crumbled feta cheese, chopped parsley, and dill if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
06 - Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • You can prepare it in under half an hour and it tastes even better the next day—your secret weapon for potlucks.
  • The crisp, salty mix of feta, olives, and fresh herbs makes it impossible not to go back for seconds.
02 -
  • If you skip cooling the pasta completely, it turns gluey and absorbs too much dressing—learned that after a rushed lunch.
  • Using high-quality olive oil elevates the entire salad, making everything taste brighter than expected.
03 -
  • Taste the dressing on a veggie piece before tossing—it’s the best test for balance.
  • Let the salad sit for at least 30 minutes if you have time; this simple patience unlocks full flavor.
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