Best Mediterranean Pasta Salad (Printable Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta Base

01 - 450 g orzo or rotini pasta, cooked al dente and cooled

→ Vegetables

02 - 3 cups baby spinach, loosely packed
03 - 1 cup roasted red peppers, sliced
04 - 1/2 English cucumber, diced
05 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Mediterranean Touches

08 - 170 g Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
09 - 170 g Castelvetrano green olives, pitted and sliced
10 - 170 g feta cheese, crumbled

→ Herbs

11 - 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
12 - 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
13 - 1/4 cup Italian parsley, chopped

→ Dressing

14 - 80 ml extra virgin olive oil
15 - 120 ml balsamic vinegar
16 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
17 - 1 tsp ground mustard
18 - 3 tsp brown sugar
19 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
20 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 minutes or until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process.
02 - While the pasta cools, chop spinach, roasted red peppers, cucumber, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and red bell pepper into bite-sized pieces.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the prepared vegetables, olives, and crumbled feta.
04 - Finely chop basil, mint, and parsley. Add half of the herbs to the bowl, reserving the rest for garnish.
05 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, ground mustard, brown sugar, black pepper, and oregano until fully emulsified.
06 - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure even coating. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
07 - Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, garnish with remaining fresh herbs.

# Helpful Notes:

01 - Always chill the salad before serving to enhance flavor development and keep vegetables crisp.
02 - For a gluten-free version, substitute with chickpea, brown rice, or quinoa-based pasta.
03 - Prepare the dressing ahead of time for more harmonious flavors.

Go Back