Best 3 Fresh Market Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary journey to the Mediterranean with our enticing Fresh Market Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe. This delightful summer salad is a symphony of vibrant flavors and textures, featuring a medley of crisp bell peppers, juicy tomatoes, refreshing cucumber, briny olives, zesty red onion, and tender bell peppers. Tossed in a tangy lemon-herb dressing, this pasta salad is a perfect blend of tangy, savory, and refreshing flavors. Served chilled or at room temperature, it's a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a light lunch, a refreshing side, or a delicious potluck contribution. Accompanying this main recipe are two additional variations to tantalize your taste buds: a flavorful Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Artichokes and Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and a hearty Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas and Feta. These variations offer unique twists on the classic recipe, each with its own distinct combination of ingredients and flavors, ensuring that there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Let's cook with our recipes!

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 PASTA SALAD



Mediterranean Pasta Salad image

A simple Mediterranean pasta salad loaded with fresh arugula, sun-dried tomatoes, marinated artichoke hearts, pine nuts, kalamata olives, basil pesto and so much more! It's a copy-cat recipe for Cafe Express's Pasta Amore and let me just say it's actually BETTER!

Provided by Marzia

Categories     30 Minute Meals

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 14

12 ounces pasta (any small shape will do, I like penne)
1-12 ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained (reserve 2 tablespoons of oil)
½ cup kalamata olives, chopped
3 tablespoons capers, rinsed
¼ cup EACH sliced scallions AND chopped parsley
1 cup packed fresh arugula
⅓ cup parmesan cheese
3 tablespoon pine nuts
3 tablespoons pesto (homemade
⅓ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons of reserved sun-dried tomato oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • SALAD: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Rinse and drain the pasta and allow for it to cool to room temperature.
  • In a large bowl combine the prepared pasta, chopped artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, capers, scallions, and parsley. Toss to combine. At this point, you can store the pasta salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve if you want to serve it cold.
  • DRESSING: In a small bowl, mix together the pesto, olive oil, sun-dried tomato oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. The dressing can be refrigerated until you're ready to serve the salad.
  • ASSEMBLY: When you're ready to serve, add the arugula, parmesan cheese, and pine nuts into the salad and toss to combine. Dress with the prepared dressing and taste test for seasonings. Adjust to preference.

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.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
  • Cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions.
  • Chop the vegetables into uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
  • Use a variety of colors and textures of vegetables for a visually appealing salad.
  • Make the dressing ahead of time so the flavors can meld.
  • Toss the salad gently to combine all the ingredients without breaking up the pasta.
  • Serve the salad immediately or chill it for later.

Conclusion:

Fresh Market Mediterranean Pasta Salad is a delicious and refreshing salad that is perfect for a summer meal. It is packed with fresh vegetables, flavorful dressing, and hearty pasta. This salad is also a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. With its bright colors and delicious flavors, this salad is sure to be a hit at your next gathering.

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