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Healthy Summer Pasta Salad

A light, refreshing pasta salad with vibrant vegetables, feta cheese, and a zesty homemade dressing - perfect for summer meals.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 245

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz whole wheat rotini pasta
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 large cucumber, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the whole wheat rotini and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 10-12 minutes. The pasta should have a slight bite since it will continue absorbing flavors as it sits. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it quickly.
  2. While the pasta cools, prep your vegetables. Cut cherry tomatoes in half to release their juices, dice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces, and chop the bell pepper uniformly. Slice the red onion as thinly as possible - this prevents it from overpowering the other flavors. The key is keeping all pieces roughly the same size for balanced bites.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, and dried oregano. Season generously with salt and pepper. The dressing should taste slightly more acidic than you'd prefer since the pasta and vegetables will mellow it out. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the garlic to infuse.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with all prepared vegetables, olives, and feta cheese. Pour the dressing over everything and toss gently but thoroughly. Add fresh basil last to prevent bruising. Taste and adjust seasoning - you'll likely need more salt and pepper than expected.

Notes

Tastes better after chilling for at least 30 minutes. Can be prepared the night before for better flavor development. Store covered in refrigerator for up to 4 days - flavors improve overnight. Don't freeze as vegetables will become watery. Cook pasta just until al dente and rinse with cold water to prevent soggy texture. Add delicate herbs like basil last to prevent bruising and color loss.