Mediterranean Creamy Pasta Salad Delight
Embrace the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this delicious creamy pasta salad that brings together the freshness of Greek ingredients. Packed with crunchy vegetables, briny olives, and creamy feta, this salad offers a tantalizing blend that is sure to please any palate. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a side for a summer grill, this dish shines when allowed to chill for at least 4 hours, giving the flavors time to meld beautifully. You can easily adjust the creaminess of the dressing to your liking, making this salad not only flavorful but also customizable. Serve it chilled and witness the delight on everyone's faces as they savor this delightful medley of tastes and textures.
8-10
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
dry rotini pasta
1 lb (cooked and cooled)
cucumber
1 small (peeled, seeded, and chopped)
tomatoes
2 (chopped)
green bell pepper
1 (seeded and chopped)
red onion
1 small (chopped (or use 5-6 green onions, chopped))
kalamata olives
1/2 cup (sliced)
feta cheese
1 1/2 cups (cubed)
fresh garlic clove
1 (minced (or use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder))
olive oil
1/2 cup
crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup
Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons
lemon juice
2 tablespoons
red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon
dried oregano
2 teaspoons
dried basil
1/4 teaspoon
sugar
1 teaspoon
mayonnaise
1/3 cup (more if needed after mixing)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the rotini pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it thoroughly under cold running water to cool it down and stop the cooking process.
2
Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl.
3
Add the chopped cucumber, tomatoes, green bell pepper, red onion (or green onions), kalamata olives, and cubed feta cheese to the pasta. Gently toss to combine the ingredients.
4
To prepare the dressing, place the garlic clove in a food processor and pulse until minced. Add in the olive oil, crumbled feta cheese, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Process the mixture until it is smooth and well combined, about 20-30 seconds.
5
Finally, add the mayonnaise and pulse just until incorporated. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning or creaminess by adding more mayonnaise if desired.
6
Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to ensure everything is well coated. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together.
7
When ready to serve, give the salad a quick stir and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean Creamy Pasta Salad Delight?
It is a vibrant pasta salad featuring Greek ingredients, crunchy vegetables, briny olives, and a creamy dressing.
What kind of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1 lb of dry rotini pasta.
How should the rotini be cooked?
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until it is al dente.
Should the pasta be rinsed after cooking?
Yes, rinse the cooked pasta thoroughly under cold running water to cool it and stop the cooking process.
Which vegetables are included in the salad?
The salad contains cucumber, tomatoes, green bell pepper, and red onion or green onions.
What type of olives are included in the salad?
The recipe includes 1/2 cup of sliced kalamata olives.
What kind of cheese is added to the salad mixture?
1 1/2 cups of cubed feta cheese are tossed with the pasta and vegetables.
Is this a vegetarian-friendly recipe?
Yes, this Mediterranean pasta salad is categorized as a vegetarian dish.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 8 to 10 servings.
How long should the dish be refrigerated before serving?
The salad should be refrigerated for at least 4 hours before serving.
Why does the salad need to chill for 4 hours?
Chilling allows the flavors of the dressing, vegetables, and pasta to meld together beautifully.
What ingredients are used to make the dressing?
The dressing includes garlic, olive oil, crumbled feta, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, pepper, and mayonnaise.
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic in the dressing?
Yes, you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder for one fresh garlic clove.
How is the dressing prepared?
Pulse garlic in a food processor, add oil, feta, mustard, liquids, and spices, process until smooth, then pulse in mayonnaise.
What type of vinegar is required for the dressing?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar.
Can I adjust the creaminess of the salad?
Yes, you can customize the dressing's creaminess by adding more mayonnaise to your preference.
What dried herbs are used in the dressing?
The dressing is seasoned with 2 teaspoons of dried oregano and 1/4 teaspoon of dried basil.
Is there any sugar in the dressing?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of sugar is included in the dressing mixture to balance the flavors.
What type of mustard is needed for the recipe?
You will need 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard.
What can I use as a substitute for red onion?
You can substitute 5 to 6 chopped green onions for the red onion if you prefer.
How should the cucumber be prepared?
The cucumber should be peeled, seeded, and chopped before adding it to the salad.
What is the preparation for the green bell pepper?
The green bell pepper should be seeded and chopped into pieces.
How much feta cheese goes into the dressing itself?
Use 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese specifically for the dressing mixture.
How long should I process the dressing base before adding mayonnaise?
Process the base dressing mixture for about 20 to 30 seconds until it is smooth and well combined.
How should the mayonnaise be incorporated into the dressing?
Add the mayonnaise and pulse just until it is incorporated into the rest of the dressing.
What is the process for coating the salad with dressing?
Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to ensure everything is well coated before refrigerating.
What are the best occasions for serving this dish?
It is ideal for picnics, potlucks, or as a side for summer grilling.
Can I add more mayonnaise after the initial mixing?
Yes, you can add more mayonnaise if needed after the initial mixing to adjust the consistency.
What type of oil is used in the dressing?
The dressing requires 1/2 cup of olive oil.
What should I do right before serving the salad?
Give the salad a quick stir and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.