Delicious Pasta Salad: Quick Mediterranean Twist You’ll Love
This pasta salad delivers vibrant flavors and colors, making it perfect for any gathering.
Equipment
- - Large pot
- - Small bowl
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 8 oz Fusilli Pasta Substitute with gluten-free pasta if needed.
For the Veggies
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Can use other tomato varieties.
- 1 cup Cooked Chickpeas Black beans can be used for a different flavor.
- 2 cups Arugula Spinach or mixed greens can be used as alternatives.
- 1 cup Persian Cucumbers Regular cucumbers can also work well.
For the Cheese & Herbs
- 1 cup Feta Cheese Vegan feta can be used or omitted.
- 1 cup Fresh Basil Leaves Use dried basil in a pinch.
- 1/4 cup Minced Fresh Parsley Cilantro may also work.
- 1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Mint Leaves Leave out or replace with dill.
For the Dressing
- 1/2 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Substitute with avocado oil if preferred.
- 1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice Red wine vinegar can be used as a substitute.
- 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard Whole grain mustard works well too.
- 2 cloves Garlic Cloves Garlic powder can be used as an alternative.
- 1 tsp Herbes de Provence Italian seasoning can be substituted.
- 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes Omit if spice is a concern.
- to taste tsp Sea Salt Enhances all flavors.
For the Crunch
- 1/4 cup Toasted Pine Nuts Can substitute with sunflower seeds for nut-free.
Instructions
Preparation
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions until slightly beyond al dente, typically around 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta cooks, take a small bowl and whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, herbes de Provence, red pepper flakes, and sea salt to create a tangy dressing.
- Once cooked, drain the pasta and toss it with a drizzle of olive oil to avoid sticking. Allow it to cool to room temperature, which usually takes about 10 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled fusilli with cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, arugula, cucumbers, feta cheese, basil, parsley, mint, and toasted pine nuts, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
- Drizzle your prepared dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients thoroughly. Adjust seasoning with more lemon, salt, or olive oil to taste.
- You can enjoy your pasta salad immediately or refrigerate for up to 24 hours. For best flavor, consider adding fresh herbs and pine nuts just before serving.
Notes
Optional: Garnish with extra mint leaves for an aromatic finishing touch.