Mediterranean Olive Oil Feta (Printable)

Vibrant salad with feta, olives, tomatoes, and fresh vegetables in an olive oil dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
02 - Salt for boiling water

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 medium cucumber, diced
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1/2 red bell pepper, diced

→ Cheese & Olives

07 - 5 oz feta cheese, crumbled
08 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved

→ Dressing

09 - 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 tsp dried oregano
12 - 1 clove garlic, minced
13 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
14 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Fresh Herbs

15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 1 tbsp fresh basil, sliced (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and red bell pepper.
03 - Add the cooked and cooled pasta to the bowl with vegetables.
04 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper.
05 - Pour dressing over pasta and vegetables. Toss gently to combine.
06 - Add crumbled feta, Kalamata olives, parsley, and basil if using. Toss lightly to distribute evenly.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Light and refreshing Mediterranean flavors
  • Easy to prepare with fresh ingredients
02 -
  • Using fresh herbs enhances the flavor significantly
  • Allow the salad to chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to blend flavors
03 -
  • Rinse the cooked pasta under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking
  • Toss the salad gently to preserve the texture of fresh vegetables
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