Mediterranean pasta salad

Mediterranean pasta salad

25 min
Try our Mediterranean pasta salad for your next lunch or light dinner. Enjoy a mix of perfectly cooked pasta, tangy white cheese, and fresh kale. A variety of crisp vegetables add both colour and crunch. Tossed in a zesty homemade dressing with a kick of lemon and red vinegar, this salad is ideal for picnics and get-togethers or as a lively addition to your dinner table.
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Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions, then drain and set it aside.
  • Prepare the dressing by mixing all the ingredients and stirring well to combine.
  • Add half of the dressing to the cooked pasta.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the kale, onions, coloured pepper, tomatoes, olives, and parsley.
  • Add the remaining dressing to the vegetable mixture and mix well.
  • Combine the pasta with the vegetables and white cheese.
  • Transfer the salad to your serving platter. Serve and enjoy!
Enjoy!

FAQ: Questions about Mediterranean pasta salad

Our answers to the most frequently asked questions guide you through how to prepare and store the Mediterranean pasta salad.

Can I make Mediterranean pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the Mediterranean pasta salad in advance. Assemble the salad a few hours before serving, or even the day before, for the best flavour integration. Add sensitive ingredients like tomatoes just before serving to keep them fresh and prevent them from becoming too soft.
How should I store and serve Mediterranean pasta salad?
Keep your Mediterranean pasta salad fresh by storing leftovers sealed in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. Before serving, let the salad sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to bring out the flavours. Stir well to mix the dressing through. If you have made the salad ahead of time, add fresh herbs just before serving to keep them bright and flavourful.
Can I freeze Mediterranean pasta salad?
We do not recommend freezing the pasta salad, as it can change the texture of the pasta and vegetables. But since it is so easy to make, you can prepare and assemble the salad in no time.

Ingredients

Penne pasta (about 250 g)
2 cups
Apetina® Original White Cheese In Brine (about 125 g)
1 cup
Kale, roughly chopped
2 cups
Coloured pepper, thinly sliced (about 150 g)
1 cup
Cherry tomatoes, halved (about 75 g)
1 cup
Pitted black olives, sliced (about 75 g)
½ cup
Fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp
Red onions, thinly sliced (about 75 g)
½ cup
Dressing
Red vinegar (about 60 ml)
¼ cup
Lemon juice (about 60 ml)
¼ cup
Mustard
1 tsp
Garlic, minced
1 tsp
Olive oil (about 45 g)
0.3 cup
Dried oregano
1 tsp
Salt and black pepper to taste
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Tips: Make the best Mediterranean pasta salad

We list a few helpful tips and tricks that can take your pasta salad to the next level. We will walk you through preparing your veggies and assembling the salad.

Cut the vegetables evenly

Cut the vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces. Doing so ensures equal distribution of taste and textures and will make the pasta salad look more beautiful. If you prefer a more rustic look, cut the vegetables into chunkier pieces.

Prepare the kale

Massage the chopped kale with a little olive oil and a pinch of salt to soften it. This makes the kale more tender and flavourful.

Rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking

Rinsing the pasta after cooking can help prevent it from absorbing excess heat. This also stops it from transferring heat to other salad ingredients, such as white cheese.

Try our quick and easy recipe for Mediterranean pasta salad

Enjoy our easy Mediterranean pasta salad, brimming with colourful vegetables and creamy white cheese. In less than thirty minutes, you can prepare this delicious salad for your friends and family. Simply cook the pasta, chop the veggies, and assemble everything. What truly makes this dish stand out is not just the process but the blend of fresh, rich, and tangy ingredients.

Discover more great pasta dishes like our delicious spinach and ricotta lasagne or spinach and courgette lasagne. If you crave something a bit more decadent, you can also try the creamy chicken fettuccine Alfredo or the tasty macarona béchamel.

Crisp kale, juicy tomatoes, and colourful peppers

This Mediterranean pasta salad is a true rainbow of colours. Wonderfully crisp kale adds a refreshing crunch to every bite, complemented by the slightly sweet, tangy pop of juicy cherry tomatoes. Red, yellow, and green peppers also add a delightful crunch and vibrant colours. This salad appears tailor-made for sunny days, yet its bright and beautiful flavours can brighten even the cloudiest day. With our recipe, you can savour a delicious mix of vegetables any day of the year.

Joined by rich white cheese and black olives

The combination of white cheese and black olives adds a distinct Mediterranean flair to the pasta salad. Both ingredients are celebrated in southern parts of Europe for their deep, robust flavours. White cheese enriches the salad with its rich, tangy, and slightly salty taste, along with a creamy, crumbly texture. This complements the fresh vegetables beautifully. When paired with the bold flavours and firm texture of black olives, the pasta salad achieves a well-rounded and satisfying flavour profile. So, it is no wonder it is popular across the world.

Tossed in a bright and fresh dressing

The pasta salad truly comes alive with a refreshing dressing brimming with bright and tangy flavours. Olive oil, red vinegar, and lemon juice come together to create a rich and acidic base. Infused with aromatic garlic and bold mustard, the dressing receives a subtle hint of spiciness and a slightly creamy consistency. Dress your salad with a zesty finish and enjoy a bright, colourful Mediterranean pasta salad.

Perfect as a tasty lunch or side dish for dinner

Our Mediterranean pasta salad offers the perfect mix of simplicity and versatility. Venture into the kitchen and whip up a tasty lunch for yourself and your guests. With its rich flavours and exciting textures, this dish adds a special touch to any lunchtime meal. It also makes a great light dinner option – just pair it with garlic bread on the side. You can also serve the pasta salad with various delicious meats. The rich and savoury flavours of grilled chicken and lamb chops are beautifully complemented by an assortment of fresh vegetables.

Experiment with the ingredients

While we enjoy the many great flavour pairings in this recipe, feel free to personalise the Mediterranean pasta salad. A simple place to start is with the choice of cheese. Instead of white cheese, consider shaved Parmesan for a nutty and subtly salty touch. Diced mozzarella offers a soft and creamy texture, bringing a milky and lightly tangy taste. For a sharper tang, opt for soft goat cheese. Each cheese is blessed with a distinctive flavour, so it is all about finding what suits your preferences. Another popular addition is canned tuna, which provides rich seafood flavours that complement the Mediterranean theme perfectly.

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