Best 6 Mediterranean Pasta And Lentil Salad Recipes

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**Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this tantalizing pasta and lentil salad recipe. Embark on a culinary journey that blends the freshness of garden vegetables, the heartiness of lentils, and the savory richness of feta cheese. This delightful dish offers a symphony of textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean. With its vibrant colors, aromatic herbs, and zesty dressing, this salad is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Discover the perfect balance of flavors as you explore the medley of ingredients, from the sweetness of cherry tomatoes to the tangy bite of Kalamata olives. This recipe promises a delightful culinary experience that will leave you craving more.**

**In addition to the Mediterranean pasta and lentil salad, this article presents a diverse collection of recipes that explore the culinary traditions of the Mediterranean region. Embark on a culinary adventure with the classic Greek tzatziki sauce, a refreshing cucumber-yogurt dip that pairs perfectly with grilled meats and vegetables. Discover the secrets of authentic Italian pesto sauce, a vibrant blend of basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese that elevates any pasta dish. Transport yourself to the shores of Spain with a vibrant and flavorful paella, a saffron-infused rice dish brimming with seafood, chicken, and vegetables. Satisfy your sweet cravings with the delightful baklava, a rich and aromatic pastry made with layers of filo dough, chopped nuts, and honey syrup. With this diverse selection of recipes, you'll have a culinary passport to explore the vibrant flavors and traditions of the Mediterranean.**

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

MEDITERRANEAN POWER LENTIL SALAD



Mediterranean Power Lentil Salad image

This healthy, satisfying Mediterranean lentil salad recipe with spinach, crunchy veggies, and a zippy lime dressing, is the ultimate power bowl! It's easy to make and even better the next day. Add pomegranate seeds (arils) when in season, or leave them out. Keep it vegan or add a sprinkle of creamy feta.

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Categories     Salad

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup dry green lentils or black lentils
Seeds of 1 pomegranate
Water
Kosher salt
1 small red onion (chopped)
3/4 English cucumber (small diced or chopped (about 2 1/2 cups))
2 to 3 cups baby spinach (or other leafy green of choice)
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
Crumbled feta cheese for garnish
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp honey
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground allspice
Salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Cook the lentils. In a saucepan, combine lentils with 3 cups of water and pinch of kosher salt. Bring to a boil. Cover, and lower heat to medium-low. Let simmer until the lentils are fully tender (anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes depending on the kind of lentils used). Be sure to check and add water if lentils seem too dry during the cooking process (they should absorb a lot of the water. Drain and set aside to cool.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked lentils with chopped onions, cucumbers, baby spinach, parsley, and pomegranate seeds (arils.) Give everything a gentle toss.
  • Make the dressing. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the lime dressing ingredients. Pour the dressing over the lentil salad and toss to combine. Add a sprinkle of feta cheese to finish.
  • Allow a few minutes for the flavors to meld before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 127.6 kcal, Sodium 15.3 mg, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Carbohydrate 5 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 0.9 g, ServingSize 1 serving

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 STYLE ROASTED RED PEPPER AND LENTIL SALAD



Mediterranean Style Roasted Red Pepper and Lentil Salad image

A perfect summer salad to share with friends and family over a picnic or for dinner. This whole food lentil salad recipe is super easy to make, plus it's vegan-friendly!

Provided by Pooja Mottl

Categories     Salad     Beans     Lentil Salad Recipes

Time 1h30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 ½ large red bell peppers, halved and seeded
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 cup French green lentils
3 cups cold water
1 pinch sea salt
1 small onion, finely diced
2 stalks celery, finely diced
2 carrots, peeled and finely diced
½ cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 small shallots, coarsely chopped
½ teaspoon sea salt
5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 ½ tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  • Toss red pepper halves with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place them on a baking sheet and roast until the peppers are very soft and crisp at the edges, about 20 minutes. Allow peppers to cool, then dice into 1/4-inch cubes. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  • Combine lentils and cold water in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, add a pinch of salt, and simmer, covered, until the lentils are just tender to the bite, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat, drain, and cool. Transfer cooled lentils to the mixing bowl.
  • Gently mix in the onion, celery, carrots, and parsley. Add 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
  • Combine the Dijon mustard, chopped shallots, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, and balsamic vinegar in a blender. Blend on High for 10 seconds. Gradually add olive oil and blend again until the dressing is fully emulsified and smooth. Pour 1/2 cup dressing over lentils and stir gently with a wooden spoon. Taste the salad and add remaining dressing if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 479.5 calories, Carbohydrate 37.5 g, Fat 32.2 g, Fiber 12.1 g, Protein 12 g, SaturatedFat 4.5 g, Sodium 673 mg, Sugar 8.9 g

MEDITERRANEAN LENTIL SALAD RECIPE BY TASTY



Mediterranean Lentil Salad Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, pepper, salt, yellow bell pepper, chickpeas, cucumber, cherry tomato, lentils, fresh parsley

Provided by Merle O'Neal

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 1 serving

Number Of Ingredients 12

¼ cup olive oil
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup yellow bell pepper, chopped
½ cup chickpeas
½ cup cucumber, chopped
½ cup cherry tomato, halved
½ cup lentils, cooked
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Steps:

  • In a large mason jar, add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, pepper, and salt. Stir or swirl to combine.
  • Add the bell pepper, chickpeas, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, lentils, and parsley and screw on the lid.
  • Store in the refrigerator until ready to eat, up to 5 days
  • Give the mason jar a good shake to mix and use a fork or spoon to stir as needed.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 938 calories, Carbohydrate 86 grams, Fat 56 grams, Fiber 17 grams, Protein 29 grams, Sugar 13 grams

MEDITERRANEAN LENTIL SALAD



Mediterranean Lentil Salad image

This is a delicious lentil salad, that keeps very well in the refrigerator.

Provided by Candice

Categories     Salad     Vegetable Salad Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup dry brown lentils
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
½ teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ cup diced celery
¼ cup chopped parsley
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ cup olive oil

Steps:

  • In a saucepan combine lentils, carrots, onion, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme. Add enough water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes or until lentils are tender but not mushy.
  • Drain lentils and vegetables and remove bay leaf. Add olive oil, lemon juice, celery, parsley, salt and pepper. Toss to mix and serve at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 147.4 calories, Carbohydrate 16.2 g, Fat 7.1 g, Fiber 5.8 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 452.8 mg, Sugar 3 g

MEDITERRANEAN LENTIL SALAD



Mediterranean Lentil Salad image

Here's a summery lentil salad topped with tomatoes, roasted peppers and feta, garnished with hard-cooked eggs, anchovy fillets and good canned tuna. Studded with olives and sprinkled with oregano, it's a sort-of niçoise salad by way of Greece, an easy main course suitable for a picnic or a no-fuss make-ahead supper.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     dinner, weekday, salads and dressings, vegetables, main course

Time 1h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 1/2 cups small brown or green lentils, such as Castelluccio or Le Puy
1 bay leaf
A few thyme sprigs, tied in a bundle
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 pounds tiny new potatoes
12 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved (about 3 cups)
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced and soaked in ice water
2 red bell peppers, roasted, skin removed and cut into long, wide strips
8 anchovy fillets (optional)
8 ounces good-quality canned tuna, drained, in large chunks (optional)
4 hard-cooked eggs (9 minutes), halved or quartered
2 tablespoons roughly chopped mint
3 tablespoons roughly chopped parsley
Small handful of basil leaves, for garnish
1 cup good-quality black olives, such as niçoise, Kalamata or Moroccan
4 ounces feta, cut in 1/2-inch slices
3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar, plus more to taste
2 garlic cloves, grated or smashed to a paste (about 1/2 teaspoon)
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon crumbled oregano, plus a little more for sprinkling

Steps:

  • Cook the lentils: Rinse and put in a medium saucepan. Cover with 4 cups water and add bay leaf, thyme sprig and a large pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer gently with lid ajar for 20 to 25 minutes, until lentils are tender. Set pot aside and let cool to room temperature.
  • Put the potatoes in another saucepan, cover with water and add a heaping teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to brisk simmer. Cook about 15 minutes, until cooked through when probed with a paring knife. Drain and set aside. (If desired, use a paring knife to remove skins from potatoes while still warm.) Cut in halves or quarters.
  • While lentils cook, make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, stir together vinegar and garlic. Season with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk in the oil. Taste and adjust. Stir in oregano.
  • Put the cherry tomatoes in a bowl. Drain onion slices, and add to the tomatoes along with roasted pepper strips. Season with salt, then add half the vinaigrette (well whisked). Toss to coat.
  • To assemble salad, drain lentils and transfer to a large low, wide bowl or platter and let cool for 10 minutes. Add remaining vinaigrette, sprinkle with a little salt and toss gently. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Top lentils with tomato-onion-pepper mixture. Arrange anchovy fillets, tuna (if using) and eggs on top. Sprinkle with mint and parsley. Arrange halved or quartered potatoes around the perimeter. Garnish with basil leaves, olives and feta. Sprinkle a pinch of oregano over the salad.

Tips:

  • To save time, use pre-cooked lentils or canned lentils. Just be sure to rinse them well before using.
  • If you don't have any sun-dried tomatoes on hand, you can use 1/2 cup of chopped fresh tomatoes instead.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables to this salad, such as diced bell pepper, zucchini, or cucumber.
  • If you want to make this salad ahead of time, simply cook the lentils and pasta according to the package directions and then let them cool completely. Then, combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

This Mediterranean pasta and lentil salad is a delicious and healthy meal that is perfect for lunch or dinner. It's packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, and it's also low in calories and carbohydrates. Plus, it's easy to make and can be tailored to your own dietary needs and preferences. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this Mediterranean pasta and lentil salad a try!

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