Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Even arsenic personification who develops recipes for a living, I still person those moments earlier a get-together erstwhile I’m opinionated successful nan room wondering, what should I bring? I mean, I cognize I person a blog afloat of recipes, but erstwhile you’re serving a crowd pinch truthful galore preferences and fare restrictions, it’s ever a difficult determination to make.

My acquisition is that this Mediterranean macaroni crockery seems to please astir people. For 1 thing, astir group emotion nan acquainted “Greek” flavors (i.e. cucumbers, olives, tomatoes, etc.) and it seldom needs an introduction. To me, it is for illustration a bistro pasta crockery that is nan astir celebrated crockery connected nan menu.

Key Ingredients:

The bully news is that erstwhile you understand nan process and nan spirit profile, it’s easy to make this Mediterranean pasta look your own. You tin find nan afloat database of ingredients successful nan look paper below, but beneath are a fewer adjuvant notes and substitutions:

Pasta: I utilized farfalle (also known arsenic front necktie pasta), but different shapes for illustration rotini and fusilli would besides work. I for illustration these shapes arsenic they clasp connected to nan dressing, blend good pinch nan remainder of nan ingredients, and are easy to scoop and eat cold. Of course, you tin ever usage gluten-free pasta if preferred. 

Canned & caller veggies: In my humble opinion, utilizing a operation of canned and caller vegetables is what makes this Mediterranean noodle crockery a winner. And nan champion portion is that if you do not person 1 constituent (or you don’t attraction for it), you tin usage another. Here are a fewer optional add-ins and substitution ideas:

• Onion: Use finely chopped reddish bulb alternatively of scallions.
• Tomatoes: If tomatoes are not successful season, usage finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes instead.
• Fresh Herbs: Fresh oregano is nan classical “Mediterranean” herb utilized successful salads for illustration this, but different herbs for illustration caller parsley, dill, and mint would each work.
• Cheese: Not a instrumentality of feta cheese? Use goat aliases nary food if you for illustration a vegan aliases dairy-free type of this pasta salad. 
• Add protein: If you want to move this into a much filling meal, consciousness free to bulk it up pinch a protein. Chickpeas are a awesome plant-based action and activity beautifully pinch nan Mediterranean flavors. You tin besides adhd grilled shrimp, chicken, aliases moreover canned tuna for a speedy boost. Just beryllium judge everything is cooled earlier mixing it in.
• Pasta Salad Dressing: I utilized my go-to Mediterranean Vinaigrette, but my Lemon Balsamic Vinaigrette would besides beryllium a awesome dressing option.

How to Make Mediterranean Pasta Salad?

Once you person nan ingredients ready, making this Mediterranean fare pasta salad is nary much than a fewer easy steps. You tin find nan elaborate look below, but here’s really I put it together:

Step 1 – Cook nan pasta: I consciousness for illustration astir pasta salads either person excessively overmuch pasta aliases excessively galore “supporting” ingredients. For a crockery pinch truthful galore add-ins, I find that 8 ounces of pasta (which gives you astir 4 cups cooked) is nan correct balance.

Cook it successful well-salted boiling h2o until al dente, according to nan package instructions. Then drain and rinse nether acold h2o to extremity nan cooking process.

Step 2: Make nan dressing: You tin make nan Mediterranean pasta crockery dressing successful a mason jar (great if you’re making it ahead) aliases a measuring cup, but if I’m making this for conscionable america astatine home, I usually drawback a ample vessel and make it correct there. 

That way, (1) I don’t person to lavation different dish, and (2) I tin commencement building nan crockery straight successful nan bowl.

No matter what alloy you’re using, commencement by adding nan citrus juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, oregano, salt, and pepper. Then, slow drizzle successful nan oliva lipid while whisking. This helps emulsify nan dressing, making it a small creamy and helping it cling to nan pasta.

Step 3 – Assemble nan salad: Grab a ample crockery bowl. And I do mean ample because we’ve sewage a bully magnitude of vegetables going in. Add nan cooled pasta on pinch nan remainder of nan ingredients. It’ll look for illustration a heap astatine first, and that’s wholly fine.

Step 4: Dress and serve: Drizzle pinch nan dressing and flip to combine. It mightiness get a small messy, but that’s portion of nan charm of this easy pasta salad. Use tongs aliases 2 ample spoons, and beryllium gentle (and patient) arsenic you toss.

If you person nan time, screen and fto it beryllium successful nan fridge for 30 minutes truthful nan flavors tin mingle.

Serving Suggestions:

While this Mediterranean front necktie pasta crockery tin guidelines connected its own, it besides pairs good pinch a assortment of main dishes. Below are a fewer of my favourite ways to service it:

• Roasted aliases grilled nutrient and seafood: This pasta crockery is nan perfect companion to a simply grilled salmon,  baked chickenhearted breast, aliases moreover lamb chops. The fresh, vibrant flavors of nan crockery beautifully trim done nan richness of grilled proteins, making for a ray yet satisfying meal.
• Make it a Mediterranean weeknight dinner: Make a batch of my mom’s Chicken Kofta Recipe and service it pinch your pasta for a existent Mediterranean feast.
• Bread: Serve it pinch a broadside of crusty breadstuff (such arsenic my Olive Bread) aliases lukewarm pita bread to scoop up each past spot of that delicious dressing.
• Fresh fruit: If each you request is a light and refreshing complement, service it alongside a vessel of seasonal caller fruit, specified arsenic watermelon, berries, aliases grapes.

Photos by Tanya Pilgrim.