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Home » Type » Salads » Pasta Salads » Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe

Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe

May 15, 2020 by Faith 5 Comments

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With artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives, sundried tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil, this Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe is packed with flavor for the perfect 20 minute side dish!

Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe in White Bowl on Wooden Table

Most of us already have a favorite pasta salad in our cooking repertoire. But do you have the perfect pasta salad that you can whip up for any summer party, picnic, or BBQ?

I definitely didn’t before this!

The bold flavors going on in this recipe keep it from being bland, and they meld together so well, it’s sure to please everyone! And bonus, it’s easy to make vegan.

This salad is the perfect side dish for your next summer party!

Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe with Description

In This Article

  • Healthy Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe
  • What Goes Well with Pasta Salad?
  • More Cold Pasta Salad Recipes:
  • Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe

Healthy Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe

With a few easy tricks, this Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe is a bit healthier than most!

I cut back on the amount of pasta in this dish and bulked it up by adding artichoke hearts.

Onion, parsley, and garlic bump up the nutrition, and Kalamata olives add healthy fat.

You could also add chopped tomato if you have one or two on hand.

Do You Rinse Pasta for Pasta Salad?

Yes! When you make pasta salad, once the pasta is cooked, rinse it under cold running water to stop the cooking process.

Can I Make Pasta Salad the Day Before?

To make this salad up to 2 days ahead, leave out the parsley, pine nuts, and Parmesan. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Toss these ingredients into the salad right before serving.

Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients

What Goes Well with Pasta Salad?

Serve this Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe with any of the following:

  • Grilled chicken or steak
  • Burgers
  • Hot dogs
  • Sandwiches

Pro Tip: Make this a full meal by adding a can of beans to the pasta salad and serving it on a bed of arugula.

Close Up Front View of Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe in White Bowl

More Cold Pasta Salad Recipes:

  • BLT Pasta Salad
  • Italian Pasta Salad
  • Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
  • Classic Macaroni Salad

Mediterranean Pasta Salad in White Dish with Spoon

Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below because I love hearing from you! You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media. To stay up-to-date FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Xoxo, Faith

Close Up Front View of Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe in White Bowl

Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe

By: Faith Gorsky
With artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives, sundried tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil, this Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe is packed with flavor for the perfect 20 minute side dish!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 12 mins
Cook Time 1 hr 8 mins
Course Pasta, Side Dish
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 8 servings
Calories 289 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Salad:

  • 1/2 pound penne pasta or any pasta shape you like
  • 14 ounce can quartered artichoke hearts in brine rinsed, drained, and coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 small white onion thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat parsley leaves
  • 1/4 cup Kalamata olives pitted and chopped
  • 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes in olive oil chopped small, with the oil reserved to make the pasta salad dressing
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese optional

Dressing:

  • 6 tablespoons olive oil from the sundried tomatoes in olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
  • 1 small clove garlic grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes more or less to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside to cool.
  • Whisk together all ingredients for the dressing in a large bowl.
  • Once the pasta is cool, give it a quick rinse under cold water so the noodles don’t stick together. Drain it well, and add it to the bowl with the dressing.
  • Add the artichoke hearts, onion, parsley, olives, sundried tomatoes, pine nuts, and Parmesan, and gently toss to combine.
  • Serve.

Faith's Tips

  • Recipe makes about 6 cups.
  • Make this a full meal by adding a can of beans to the pasta salad, and serving it on a bed of arugula.
  • Vegan Friendly: Omit the Parmesan cheese or use vegan Parmesan-style cheese. In the dressing, use maple syrup instead of honey.
  • Make Ahead: To make this salad up to 2 days ahead, leave out the parsley, pine nuts, and Parmesan. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Toss these ingredients into the salad right before serving.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe
Amount Per Serving (0.75 cup)
Calories 289 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 3mg1%
Sodium 463mg20%
Potassium 254mg7%
Carbohydrates 31g10%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 427IU9%
Vitamin C 7mg8%
Calcium 60mg6%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword Mediterranean Pasta Salad, Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

Mediterranean Pasta Salad in 20 Minutes Pin

This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on July 29, 2014. I updated it with more information on May 15, 2020.

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links to products I believe in, which means that even though it doesn’t cost you anything extra, I will receive a small amount of money from the sale of these items. Thank you for helping to support An Edible Mosaic!

Filed Under: Pasta Salads, Side Dishes Tagged: BBQ Foods, Healthier Pasta Salads, Lightened Up Pasta Salads, Mediterranean Flavors, Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe, Pasta, Pasta Salad, Picnic Foods, Potluck Foods, Recipes, Side Dishes, Summer Party Foods, Vegan-Friendly, Vegetarian

Comments

  1. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says

    August 2, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    LOVE the ingredients in this!! Anything with artichokes, olives AND pine nuts, and I am completely sold :) yum!

    Reply
  2. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    July 29, 2014 at 6:46 pm

    I could eat this all summer long, love the sun dried tomatoes!

    Reply
  3. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says

    July 29, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    this is my idea of lunch salad..

    Reply
  4. Erica says

    July 29, 2014 at 11:29 am

    I always up the veggies! Looks fantastic. Such a different pasta salad. NOM

    Reply
  5. Rosa says

    July 29, 2014 at 5:05 am

    My kind of pasta salad! So flavorful.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply

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Hello and welcome to An Edible Mosaic! This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. Here you’ll find a focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home.

 

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An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

meet faith

I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

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affiliate disclosure

An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

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