Go Back
Colorful summer pasta salad with broccoli and fresh vegetables in a bowl

Summer Pasta Salad

A refreshing salad featuring pasta, fresh vegetables, and a zesty dressing, perfect for summer picnics and barbecues.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 8 ounces Pasta (fusilli, penne, or rotini) Your choice of pasta
  • Fresh vegetables (cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and red onions) Chop prior to use
  • 1 cup Broccoli florets Lightly steamed or raw for crunch
  • ½ cup Olives (black or green) Pitted and sliced
Cheese and Dressing
  • ½ cup Feta cheese Crumbled
  • ¼ cup Olive oil For dressing
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon juice Freshly squeezed
  • 1 clove Garlic Minced
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
  • Fresh herbs (basil, parsley, or dill) For garnish and flavor

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and let cool.
  2. Chop the fresh vegetables: cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and red onions. Wash them thoroughly.
  3. Consider lightly steaming the broccoli florets for added crunch and vibrant color.
Dressing and Assembly
  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  2. Combine the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, and olives in a large bowl.
  3. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to combine.
  4. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and fresh herbs over the salad. Toss gently again.
Final Steps
  1. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.

Notes

This salad can be paired with grilled chicken or served alongside a peach watermelon salad. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For freezing, exclude the dressing and feta.