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Fresh Greek Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade with Kalamata Olives and Feta

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A fresh and easy Greek pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and a lemon-oregano vinaigrette, perfect for summer gatherings and quick meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 g) rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 1 cup (about 150 g) Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1 cup (150 g) feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340 g) of rotini and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Pour pasta into a colander and rinse with cold water until cool. Drain well and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 minced garlic clove, salt, and black pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. Dice 1 medium cucumber, halve 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, finely chop 1/4 cup red onion, and roughly chop 1/4 cup fresh parsley. Add all to the bowl with pasta.
  5. Stir in 1 cup (150 g) pitted and halved Kalamata olives and 1 cup (150 g) crumbled feta cheese gently to avoid breaking up the feta too much.
  6. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently until everything is coated evenly.
  7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta; al dente texture is key. Rinse pasta with cold water to stop cooking and cool it. Use good-quality extra virgin olive oil for best flavor. Add salt sparingly as feta and olives are salty. Let the salad rest at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld. Gently fold feta to keep chunks intact. If salad seems dry after chilling, add a splash more olive oil or lemon juice before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek pasta salad, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, lemon-oregano dressing, easy pasta salad, summer salad, Mediterranean salad

Find it online: https://piperplate.com/fresh-greek-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-with-kalamata-olives-and-feta/