Meme-licious Pasta Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-04 · Updated 2026-04-04

A lively pasta salad packed with colorful veggies, tangy dressing, and crumbled feta that’s as fun to eat as it is to name. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs penne pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 8 oz penne pasta
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup, diced cucumber
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup, sliced black olives
• 1/4 cup, crumbled feta cheese
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook 8 oz penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 10 minutes until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water until cooled.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and 1/2 cup sliced black olives.
3. Step 3: Add the cooled penne pasta to the bowl and sprinkle with 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
5. Step 5: Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture and toss gently until evenly coated and the dressing clings to every strand.