summer pasta greek olives feta (Printer-friendly)

Pasta tossed with Greek flavors—tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta. Ideal for summer and Mediterranean meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle)
02 - Salt, for pasta water

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium cucumber, diced
04 - 7 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 small red onion, finely sliced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Greek Flavors

07 - 3.5 oz Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
08 - 4.25 oz feta cheese, crumbled
09 - 2 tbsp capers (optional)

→ Dressing

10 - 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
14 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
15 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Fresh Herbs

16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
17 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the short pasta to al dente following package guidance. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside to cool.
02 - Combine cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, Kalamata olives, and capers in a large mixing bowl.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, minced garlic, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper until emulsified.
04 - Add cooled pasta to the vegetable mixture. Pour dressing over and toss gently until evenly coated.
05 - Fold in crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh parsley, and dill if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes for flavors to develop before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • This salad is your shortcut to capturing summer in a single bite without ever needing to turn on the oven.
  • I keep coming back to it because it's endlessly adaptable and just as delicious at a picnic as it is during a casual family lunch.
02 -
  • Don’t skip rinsing the pasta; warm pasta melts the feta and makes everything mushy.
  • Let it chill—flavors need time to mingle and mellow so every bite tastes just right.
03 -
  • Always use a sharp knife for clean veggie cuts—that’s the difference between soggy and crisp salad.
  • For the best results, buy feta packed in brine; it stays creamier and tangier than pre-crumbled.
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