Picnic Salad

Perfect for al fresco dining, this vibrant Picnic Salad is a feast of color and flavor, combining tender short pasta with a medley of crisp veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red bell pepper. Tossed with tangy crumbled feta, briny black olives, and a zesty homemade dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a hint of honey, every bite is a refreshing explosion of Mediterranean-inspired goodness. Ready in just 30 minutes, this make-ahead dish is ideal for summer picnics, potlucks, or light weeknight meals. Garnished with fresh parsley and served chilled, it’s a crowd-pleaser that's as easy to devour as it is to prepare.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 250 grams Short pasta (rotini, penne, or bowtie)
• 200 grams Cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium (approx. 200 grams) Cucumber, diced
• 1 medium Red bell pepper, diced
• 0.5 medium Red onion, finely chopped
• 100 grams Black olives, sliced
• 100 grams Feta cheese, crumbled
• 30 grams Fresh parsley, chopped
• 60 ml Olive oil
• 30 ml Fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, sliced black olives, and crumbled feta cheese.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 4

Add the cooled pasta to the large mixing bowl with the vegetables and toss gently to combine.

Step 5

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss again to ensure everything is evenly coated.

Step 6

Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the salad and give it a light mix.

Step 7

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1149.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1493.2

Total Fat 99.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 26.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.4g
Cholesterol 83.3mg	0%
Sodium 3156.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 119.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.9g	0%
Total Sugars 21.3g
Protein 34.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 635.0mg	0%
Iron 8.6mg	0%
Potassium 1591.1mg	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: 59.3%

Protein: 9.1%

Carbs: 31.6%