Mediterranean Pasta Delight
Experience the fresh and vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this Mediterranean Pasta Delight. This salad combines al dente elbow macaroni with a colorful mix of fresh vegetables, creamy feta cheese, and a tangy homemade dressing, making it a perfect dish for gatherings, picnics, or a light meal. Allow it to chill for maximum flavor infusion. Whether served as a side or a main, this easy-to-make salad is sure to impress your family and friends.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1/2 cup
red wine vinegar
1/2 cup
garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons
dried basil
1 1/2 teaspoons
dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons
ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon
white sugar
3/4 teaspoon
cooked elbow macaroni
2 1/2 cups (cooked until al dente)
fresh sliced mushrooms
3 cups (sliced)
cherry tomatoes
15 (halved)
red bell pepper
1 cup (sliced)
crumbled feta cheese
3/4 cup
chopped green onion
1/2 cup
black olives
1 (4 ounce) can (drained)
sliced pepperoni
3/4 cup (cut into strips)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the olive oil and red wine vinegar until well combined.
2
Stir in the garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, black pepper, and white sugar until the mixture is smooth.
3
Add the cooked elbow macaroni to the bowl, followed by the sliced mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, crumbled feta cheese, chopped green onions, drained black olives, and sliced pepperoni.
4
Gently toss all the ingredients together until they are evenly coated with the dressing.
5
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results. This chilling time allows all the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean Pasta Delight?
It is a fresh and vibrant pasta salad combining elbow macaroni with a colorful mix of vegetables, feta cheese, pepperoni, and a tangy homemade dressing.
What type of pasta should I use?
The recipe specifies 2 1/2 cups of cooked elbow macaroni.
How long should the macaroni be cooked?
The macaroni should be cooked until it is al dente.
What ingredients are in the dressing?
The dressing consists of olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, ground black pepper, and white sugar.
How long does the salad need to chill?
It should be refrigerated for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best results.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
No, it contains 3/4 cup of sliced pepperoni.
Can I make this salad vegan?
To make it vegan, you would need to omit the feta cheese and pepperoni or use plant-based substitutes.
What vegetables are included in the salad?
The salad includes fresh sliced mushrooms, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red bell pepper, and chopped green onions.
How many cherry tomatoes do I need?
The recipe calls for 15 cherry tomatoes, halved.
What kind of cheese is best for this recipe?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese for a creamy and salty Mediterranean flavor.
How do I prepare the pepperoni?
The sliced pepperoni should be cut into strips before being added to the salad.
What type of olives are used?
Use one 4-ounce can of drained black olives.
How do I mix the dressing?
Whisk together the olive oil and red wine vinegar first, then stir in the dry spices and sugar until smooth.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
While the recipe calls for dried basil and oregano, you can use fresh, though the flavor intensity and texture will vary.
Is there sugar in the recipe?
Yes, 3/4 teaspoon of white sugar is added to the dressing to balance the acidity of the vinegar.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of olive oil for the dressing.
What kind of vinegar should I use?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of red wine vinegar.
How should I store the salad?
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and keep it in the refrigerator.
Is this a main dish or a side dish?
It is versatile and can be served as either a side dish or a light main meal.
How do I combine the pasta and dressing?
Add all the ingredients to the bowl with the dressing and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
What type of bell pepper is used?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of sliced red bell pepper.
How much garlic powder is in the dressing?
The dressing includes 1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
Can I use a different pasta shape?
Yes, though elbow macaroni is recommended, other short pasta shapes like rotini or penne would work well.
How much mushroom is needed?
You will need 3 cups of fresh sliced mushrooms.
Is this recipe good for picnics?
Yes, it is specifically noted as a perfect dish for gatherings, picnics, or summer meals.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 15 ingredients used in this Mediterranean Pasta Delight.
Why do I need to chill the salad overnight?
Chilling overnight allows all the fresh flavors and the dressing to meld together beautifully.
Can I add more black pepper?
The recipe suggests 3/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper, but you can adjust to your personal taste.
How do I prepare the green onions?
The green onions should be chopped before being added to the mix.
Is this a healthy recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy recipe due to the inclusion of various fresh vegetables and olive oil.