Viral Social Media Pasta Salad
A crowd-pleasing pasta salad with a mix of colorful ingredients and a zesty dressing, designed to be shared and enjoyed with friends. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 25 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 450 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
- 1/2 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup, sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup, crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 8 oz penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 10 minutes until al dente, then rinse under cold water and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved, 1/2 cup cucumber, diced, 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced, 1/4 cup black olives, sliced, and 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 4: Pour the dressing over the bowl of vegetables and cheese, then add the drained penne pasta and toss until well coated.
- Step 5: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Viral Social Media Pasta Salad take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (25 min prep + 0 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 Viral Social Media Pasta Salad?
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 Viral Social Media Pasta Salad?
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 Viral Social Media Pasta Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Viral Social Media Pasta Salad 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
