Description
A quick, vibrant, and easy-to-make pasta salad featuring rotini, cherry tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, and a tangy olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing. Perfect for summer picnics and potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces (340 grams) dry pasta (rotini, fusilli, or farfalle)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves, torn
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente (8-10 minutes).
- Prepare a large bowl of ice water. Drain the pasta and immediately plunge it into the ice water for 1-2 minutes to stop cooking and cool it down.
- While the pasta cools, rinse and halve the cherry tomatoes and finely dice the red onion. If desired, soak the onion in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the flavor, then drain and pat dry.
- In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pasta, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Pour the dressing over the slightly warm pasta and toss gently to coat.
- Fold in the crumbled feta cheese and torn fresh basil, being careful not to crush the cheese.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Add a splash of olive oil or vinegar if the salad looks dry.
Notes
Shock the pasta in ice water to prevent it from becoming mushy. Toss the pasta with the dressing while it is still slightly cool to help absorption. The salad can be made up to 24 hours in advance, but add fresh herbs and feta right before serving. Do not freeze.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
Keywords: pasta salad, summer salad, easy side dish, vegetarian, gluten-free option, picnic food, quick recipes, feta salad