Mediterranean Diet Vibrant Vegetable Pasta Salad

Bursting with fresh, colorful ingredients, the Mediterranean Diet Vibrant Vegetable Pasta Salad is a wholesome, flavor-packed dish that's perfect for any occasion. This nutrient-rich recipe features hearty whole-grain pasta paired with crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet red bell peppers, and briny Kalamata olives, all tossed in a zesty dressing of extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and fragrant oregano. Optional crumbled feta cheese adds a creamy, salty touch, while fresh parsley elevates every bite with its aromatic brightness. Ready in just 30 minutes, this make-ahead pasta salad is ideal for meal prep, potlucks, or light lunches, and it's a shining example of Mediterranean diet recipes that are as nutritious as they are delicious. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing dish!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Whole-grain pasta
• 2 cups Cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium Cucumber, diced
• 1 medium Red bell pepper, diced
• 0.5 small Red onion, thinly sliced
• 0.5 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• 0.5 cup Feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
• 0.25 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.25 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground

Directions

Step 1

Cook the whole-grain pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and Kalamata olives.

Step 3

If using, add the crumbled feta cheese to the vegetable mixture.

Step 4

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to form the dressing.

Step 5

Add the cooled pasta to the bowl of vegetables and pour the dressing over the top.

Step 6

Toss the salad gently to combine, ensuring the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.

Step 7

Add the chopped parsley and toss once more to distribute evenly.

Step 8

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

Step 9

Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1241.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1595.8

Total Fat 119.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 30.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 106.8mg	0%
Sodium 4170.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 111.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.2g	0%
Total Sugars 22.8g
Protein 39.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 957.1mg	0%
Iron 12.3mg	0%
Potassium 2208.9mg	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: 63.9%

Protein: 9.5%

Carbs: 26.6%