Best 4 Mediterranean Vegetable Pasta Salad Recipes

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Are you looking for a light and flavorful recipe to spice up your dinner? Try our top recommendations for a refreshing Mediterranean vegetable pasta salad! With a medley of vibrant vegetables, tangy dressing, and tender pasta, this dish offers a taste of the Mediterranean right in your kitchen. Discover how to create a delicious and healthy meal that combines the flavors of sun-kissed tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, juicy bell peppers, flavorful olives, and zesty feta cheese, all tossed with a refreshing homemade dressing. Enjoy a delightful blend of textures, colors, and Mediterranean aromas that will transport your taste buds to the shores of the Mediterranean.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

MEDITERRANEAN PASTA SALAD



Mediterranean Pasta Salad image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 31m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Kosher salt
1 pound tricolor pasta, such as bow tie or fusilli
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 to 3 teaspoons dijon mustard
Freshly ground pepper
2/3 to 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup diced sun-dried tomatoes
1/4 cup fresh basil, julienned
1/4 cup diced onion
2 large pickled pepperoncini peppers, diced
3 tablespoons halved black olives
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
1 1/2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1 1/2 tablespoons grated romano cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente; drain, then rinse with cold water to cool.
  • Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette: Whisk the vinegar, mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in enough of the oil to make a smooth dressing; season with salt and pepper.
  • Combine the sun-dried tomatoes, basil, onion, pepperoncini, olives and oregano in a bowl. Add the cooked pasta, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Add the vinaigrette and both cheeses and toss. Chill until ready to serve.

MEDITERRANEAN PASTA SALAD



Mediterranean Pasta Salad image

Juicy tomatoes and cucumbers along with salty olives, red onion, tender pasta, and spinach are tossed together with creamy feta cheese in a homemade dressing for a crave-able salad that's so easy to make!

Provided by Donya Mullins

Categories     Main Course     Pasta     Salad

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 18

12 ounces pasta
1 cup halved grape tomatoes
1 cup sliced and quartered cucumbers
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 cup baby spinach
1/2 cup sliced pitted green olives
1/2 cup sliced pitted black olives
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 to 3/4 cup Homemade Greek Salad Dressing
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 large clove minced garlic
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper

Steps:

  • To a pot of salted boiling water, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  • Add pasta, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, spinach, and olives to a large bowl. Drizzle on about 1/2 cup of Greek Salad Dressing and toss all ingredients. Add feta cheese and more dressing plus salt and pepper if desired and toss until just combined. Serve immediately and enjoy!

MEDITERRANEAN VEGETABLE PASTA



Mediterranean Vegetable Pasta image

"I created this fast-to-fix recipe to use up excess zucchini from our garden, and at the same time, serve a pasta dish that was lower in calories," relates Jan Clark of New Florence, Missouri about her prize-winning recipe.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 25m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta
1 cup chopped zucchini
1/2 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
1/3 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup canned Italian diced tomatoes
6 pitted ripe olives, halved
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese
1 tablespoon shredded Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the zucchini, mushrooms, green pepper and onion in oil until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the tomatoes, olives and pepper; heat through., Drain pasta; divide between two plates. Top with vegetable mixture and cheeses.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 321 calories, Fat 9g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 7mg cholesterol, Sodium 727mg sodium, Carbohydrate 50g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

GRILLED VEGGIE AND ORZO SALAD



Grilled Veggie and Orzo Salad image

Provided by Valerie Bertinelli

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound orzo
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 yellow squash, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices on the bias
1 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices on the bias
1 Japanese eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices on the bias
1 red onion, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1 large bell pepper, cut into planks
1 teaspoon lemon zest and 5 tablespoons lemon juice (from 3 to 4 lemons)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • Add the dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/2 cup of the olive oil to a large bowl. Whisk to combine, then add all the prepped vegetables. Toss the vegetables to coat them in the marinade.
  • Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is heated, add the vegetables in batches, being sure to keep them in a single layer and not to overcrowd the pan. Grill until the vegetables have nice char marks and are beginning to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the vegetables and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a rimmed baking sheet. Keep grilling until all the vegetables are cooked. Cool slightly, then cut the vegetables into small bite size pieces. Save any leftover marinade to build the dressing for the salad.
  • To the serving bowl with the leftover marinade from the vegetables, add the lemon zest, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil. Whisk to combine. Add the cooked orzo and the chopped grilled vegetables and toss to combine. Add the feta, parsley and dill and toss again. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve immediately or keep at room temperature until ready to serve.

Tips:

  • Use fresh vegetables: Fresh vegetables will give your pasta salad the best flavor and texture. If you can, buy your vegetables from a farmer's market or local grocery store.
  • Cook the pasta al dente: Al dente pasta is cooked just until it is tender but still has a bit of a bite to it. This will help the pasta to hold its shape and not get mushy in the salad.
  • Use a variety of vegetables: The more variety of vegetables you use, the more flavorful and colorful your pasta salad will be. Some good choices include tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, zucchini, and artichokes.
  • Don't overdress the salad: A little bit of dressing goes a long way. If you add too much dressing, the salad will become soggy and oily.
  • Let the salad chill before serving: This will allow the flavors to meld and the salad to become more flavorful.

Conclusion:

Mediterranean vegetable pasta salad is a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its fresh vegetables, flavorful dressing, and al dente pasta, this salad is sure to be a hit at your next party or potluck.

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