Picnic-Ready Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes
A refreshing, tangy pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumber, and feta cheese, dressed in a light lemon-oregano vinaigrette for easy outdoor gatherings. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 26 minutes pairs penne pasta, pint (about 2 cups) cherry tomatoes, medium, diced English 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 280 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 pint (about 2 cups) cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium, diced English cucumber
- 1/2 cup, pitted and halved Kalamata olives
- 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-11 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool, then transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Step 2: Halve 1 pint (about 2 cups) cherry tomatoes, dice 1 medium English cucumber, and add to the pasta along with 1/2 cup pitted and halved Kalamata olives and 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until emulsified and fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to combine. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Picnic-Ready Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 26 minutes (15 min prep + 11 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Picnic-Ready Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Picnic-Ready Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Picnic-Ready Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Picnic-Ready Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
