“Indulge in a refreshing twist on traditional pasta salad with this vibrant creation featuring Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Tender pasta, whether it’s rotini, penne, or farfalle, forms the base for a delightful ensemble of diced Roma tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, tangy Kalamata olives, and savory feta cheese crumbles. Topped with finely diced red onions for an added kick, this salad is brought together with a creamy tzatziki sauce that perfectly complements the fresh ingredients. Ideal for picnics, potlucks, or a light summer meal, this dish promises to satisfy both your palate and your craving for something wholesome.”
Enjoy preparing and savoring your delicious pasta salad!
Ingredients
For the Salad:
• 1/2 pound shaped pasta (such as rotini, penne, or farfalle)
• 1 Roma tomato, diced
• 1/2 cucumber, diced
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
• 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbles
• 2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
• 1/4 cucumber, finely grated
• 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 lemon, juiced (approximately 1 tablespoon)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, adding salt to taste.
• Add the shaped pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
• Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
• Set the pasta aside.
2. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce:
• Finely grate the cucumber and squeeze out the excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
• In a medium bowl, combine the grated cucumber, plain Greek yogurt, chopped fresh dill, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.
• Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
• Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
3. Prepare the Salad Ingredients:
• Dice the Roma tomato and cucumber.
• Slice the Kalamata olives.
• Finely dice the red onion.
4. Assemble the Pasta Salad:
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced tomato, diced cucumber, sliced Kalamata olives, feta cheese crumbles, and finely diced red onion.
• Pour the prepared tzatziki sauce over the salad ingredients.
• Gently toss everything together until the pasta and vegetables are well coated with the sauce.
5. Chill and Serve:
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the pasta salad to an airtight container.
• Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
