Irresistible 8-Ingredient Pasta Salad Everyone Craves

Name: Irresistible 8-Ingredient Pasta Salad Everyone Craves
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 8 oz pasta (rotini or penne); 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 cucumber, diced; 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup olives, sliced; 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 tsp dried oregano; Salt and pepper to taste

Author: Tessa

Published: August 4, 2025

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Let me tell you about my absolute favorite dish to bring to summer potlucks—this vibrant Mediterranean pasta salad! I first fell in love with it years ago at a lakeside picnic when my friend Sarah brought a big bowl to share. The way the tangy feta played off the crisp veggies and herb-infused dressing? Pure magic. What makes this pasta salad so special is how incredibly versatile it is—it works as a light lunch, a side dish, or even the star of the show when you add some grilled chicken. The combination of juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and briny olives gives it that signature Mediterranean flair while still being ridiculously simple to throw together. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become your go-to for every barbecue, picnic, and “I need something quick” moment this season!

Ingredients for the Best Pasta Salad

What I love about this pasta salad is how simple the ingredient list is – just fresh, vibrant flavors that come together perfectly. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the salad: 8 oz pasta (I always use rotini – those little spirals hold the dressing so well!), 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved), 1 cucumber (diced), 1/2 red onion (thinly sliced – trust me, this amount gives just the right bite), 1/2 cup sliced olives (kalamatas if you’re feeling fancy), 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
For the dressing: 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar (that tang is everything!), 1 tsp dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste

See? Nothing complicated, just good stuff that makes your taste buds happy. I always keep these ingredients on hand during summer because you never know when a pasta salad emergency might strike!

Pasta Salad - detail 1

How to Make Pasta Salad

Okay, let’s get into the fun part – making this gorgeous pasta salad come together! I’ve learned through plenty of trial and error (and a few mushy pasta disasters) that there’s an art to getting it just right. Follow these steps, and you’ll have a perfect potluck-ready dish every time.

Cook and Cool the Pasta

First things first – cook your pasta in well-salted boiling water until it’s just al dente (usually about 1 minute less than package directions say). This is crucial because nobody wants soggy pasta salad! Drain it immediately and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. I like to spread mine out on a baking sheet to cool completely – this prevents clumping and helps it absorb the dressing better later.

Prepare the Vegetables and Dressing

While the pasta cools, chop all your veggies. I make my cucumber pieces about the same size as the halved cherry tomatoes so everything looks uniform (okay, I’m a little obsessive about presentation!). For the dressing, just whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper in a small bowl until it emulsifies. Pro tip: taste the dressing on a piece of cucumber before adding to the salad – you might need to adjust seasonings.

Pasta Salad - detail 2

Combine and Chill

Now the magic happens! Gently toss the cooled pasta with all the veggies in a big mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over everything and mix until evenly coated. Here’s my secret: add the feta cheese last, right before serving, so it stays nice and crumbly. Then – and this is important! – cover and refrigerate for at least an hour. The flavors need time to get to know each other properly. Trust me, the wait is worth it!

Why You’ll Love This Pasta Salad

Oh my gosh, where do I even start? This pasta salad is basically summer in a bowl, and here’s why everyone I’ve ever served it to becomes obsessed:

So stinkin’ easy – Seriously, if you can boil pasta and chop veggies, you’re already halfway there
Totally customizable – Don’t like olives? Swap them for artichokes! Prefer mozzarella? Go for it!
Crowd-pleasing magic – I’ve never brought this to a gathering without someone asking for the recipe
No-cook wonder – Perfect for when it’s too hot to turn on the oven (hello, heat wave lifesaver!)
Flavor explosion – That tangy feta with the herby dressing? Absolute perfection

Honestly, I could probably eat this every day and never get tired of it. And trust me – neither will you!

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Pasta Salad Variations and Swaps

One of my favorite things about this pasta salad is how easily you can make it your own! Here are some delicious ways to switch it up:

Protein boost: Throw in some grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to make it heartier – perfect for when you want this as a main dish
Veggie swaps: Bell peppers instead of cucumber? Yes! Artichokes instead of olives? Absolutely! This salad welcomes all your favorite crunchy additions
Dress it differently: Sometimes I use lemon juice instead of vinegar, or add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the dressing for extra zing
Cheese lovers: Try swapping feta for goat cheese or fresh mozzarella pearls – both bring their own creamy deliciousness

The possibilities are endless – that’s the beauty of pasta salad! Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, have fun playing with flavors.

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Serving and Storing Pasta Salad

Here’s how I like to serve this beauty – straight from the fridge for that refreshing chilled taste, but not too cold (I take it out about 15 minutes before serving). It pairs perfectly with grilled meats or sandwiches at BBQs – imagine it alongside some lemon-herb chicken! For picnics, I pack it in my favorite glass container with ice packs to keep it cool. Leftovers? They actually get better overnight! Just store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days (though mine never lasts that long). Pro tip: give it a quick toss before serving leftovers to redistribute the dressing.

Pasta Salad Nutrition Facts

Now, I’m no nutritionist, but here’s what I can tell you about this tasty pasta salad – it’s packed with good-for-you ingredients! Nutrition will vary based on your exact ingredients, but here’s the estimated nutrition per serving (about 1 cup):

Calories: 280
Fat: 12g (3g saturated, 8g unsaturated)
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 8g

The best part? Those fresh veggies and olive oil dressing mean you’re getting actual nutrition along with all that delicious flavor – not something I can say about every potluck dish!

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Common Pasta Salad Questions

Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about this pasta salad – here are the ones that pop up most often!

Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, it gets better as it sits – the flavors really come together after about 4 hours in the fridge. I often make it the night before a gathering. Just hold off on adding the feta until right before serving to keep it from getting soggy.

What’s the best pasta to use?
I swear by rotini – those little spirals catch all the dressing and goodies. But penne, farfalle, or shells work great too! Just avoid spaghetti or angel hair – they don’t hold up as well.

How can I prevent my pasta salad from drying out?
The key is enough dressing! If it seems dry after chilling, give it a quick drizzle of olive oil and vinegar (about 1 tbsp each) and toss before serving. Also – don’t rinse the pasta too thoroughly – a tiny bit of starch helps the dressing cling.

Alright, folks – it’s time to make some magic happen in your kitchen! Whip up this incredible pasta salad today and prepare to become the hero of every potluck, picnic, and backyard barbecue this summer. I can’t wait to hear how it turns out for you – did you stick with my classic recipe or put your own spin on it? Maybe you added some roasted red peppers or swapped in quinoa instead of pasta? Whatever you do, I want to hear all about it! Drop your creative twists (and any brilliant new variations you discover) in the comments below. Happy salad-making, my friends!