Description
Experience the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this colorful and refreshing pasta salad. “Mediterranean Pasta Delight” incorporates a harmonious mix of crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and rich olives, all tossed with fusilli pasta in a robust homemade dressing. This dish is not only a delightful accompaniment to any meal but also stands splendid as a wholesome meal on its own, perfect for picnics, lunches, or light dinners.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fusilli pasta
- 1 English cucumber, diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup baby spinach
- ½ red onion, sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup kalamata olives, halved
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried mint
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Step-by-step Directions
1. Preparing the Pasta
Begin by bringing a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fusilli pasta and cook it according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
2. Making the Dressing
In a large serving bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, dried mint, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is well emulsified. This dressing will coat the pasta and vegetables, infusing the salad with its Mediterranean flavors.
3. Combining Ingredients
To the bowl containing the dressing, add the cooled pasta first and toss to ensure it is evenly coated. Follow with the diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and halved kalamata olives. Gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is uniformly mixed and coated with the dressing.
Servings & Preparation Time
This recipe serves up to 6 people as a side dish or about 4 people as a main course. The total preparation and cooking time is approximately 30 minutes, making it a quick and convenient option for a nutritious meal.
Tips for Storage & Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. The salad will keep well for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Ideally, this pasta salad is enjoyed cold or at room temperature, enhancing its refreshing taste. If needed, it can be briefly microwaved to take the chill off, though warming is not generally recommended as it may alter the texture of the vegetables.
Conclusion
The “Mediterranean Pasta Delight” is a testament to the ease with which one can create a dish that is both nutritious and bursting with flavor. This recipe embraces the essence of Mediterranean cuisine through its use of fresh ingredients and aromatic herbs. Perfect for any occasion, it promises to transport you and your guests to the sunny coasts of the Mediterranean with each bite.
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Mediterranean Pasta Delight
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Experience the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this colorful and refreshing pasta salad. “Mediterranean Pasta Delight” incorporates a harmonious mix of crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and rich olives, all tossed with fusilli pasta in a robust homemade dressing. This dish is not only a delightful accompaniment to any meal but also stands splendid as a wholesome meal on its own, perfect for picnics, lunches, or light dinners.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fusilli pasta
- 1 English cucumber, diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup baby spinach
- ½ red onion, sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup kalamata olives, halved
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried mint
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preparing the Pasta Begin by bringing a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fusilli pasta and cook it according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
- Making the Dressing In a large serving bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, dried mint, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is well emulsified. This dressing will coat the pasta and vegetables, infusing the salad with its Mediterranean flavors.
- Combining Ingredients To the bowl containing the dressing, add the cooled pasta first and toss to ensure it is evenly coated. Follow with the diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and halved kalamata olives. Gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is uniformly mixed and coated with the dressing.