Mystery Ingredient Pasta Salad with Herb Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-03 · Updated 2026-04-03

A vibrant, refreshing salad where unexpected veggies and a zesty herb dressing make every bite a delightful surprise. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 10 minutes pairs ounces penne pasta, cherry tomatoes, 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 300 calories and feeds 2, 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 ounces penne pasta
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup cucumber
• 1/4 cup red onion
• 1/4 cup black olives
• 1/4 cup feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain immediately and rinse under cold water to stop cooking; set aside to cool completely.
2. Step 2: While pasta cools, dice the cucumber into 1/4-inch cubes, halve the cherry tomatoes, and finely chop the red onion.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and black pepper until emulsified and slightly thickened.
4. Step 4: Combine cooled pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, and feta in a large bowl. Drizzle with the vinaigrette and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated and the dressing clings to the pasta.