Fancy Pasta or Potato Salad

Elevate your next gathering with this vibrant and versatile Fancy Pasta or Potato Salad, a fresh take on a classic side dish! Bursting with bright Mediterranean flavors, this salad combines al dente pasta (or tender potatoes for a twist) with crisp veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red bell pepper, all tossed in a zesty lemon-herb dressing. Creamy crumbled feta and aromatic fresh parsley and basil bring a gourmet touch, while a hint of Dijon mustard and maple syrup round out the flavors beautifully. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy yet elegant dish can be made ahead, making it perfect for picnics, potlucks, or weeknight dinners. Serve it chilled or at room temperature, and let its refreshing, zesty profile take center stage.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 250 grams dry short pasta (e.g., farfalle, rotini, or penne)
• 200 grams cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 100 grams crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic clove, minced
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooling, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and cut the red bell pepper into small bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the red onion.

Step 3

In a small bowl, make the lemon-herb dressing by whisking together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, maple syrup or honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion. Add the crumbled feta cheese, chopped parsley, and basil.

Step 5

Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and gently toss everything together until well combined.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or pepper as needed.

Step 7

Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Serve chilled or at room temperature. Garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1051.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1829.8

Total Fat 81.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 22.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 88.9mg	0%
Sodium 2977.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 227.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.1g	0%
Total Sugars 27.4g
Protein 54.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 531.6mg	0%
Iron 6.1mg	0%
Potassium 1565.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.3%

Protein: 11.8%

Carbs: 48.9%