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Mediterranean Italian Pasta Salad

A vibrant and fresh Mediterranean Italian Pasta Salad made with al dente pasta, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and creamy mozzarella, all dressed in a zesty olive oil dressing.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish, Salad
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 8 ounces fusilli or penne pasta Choose your preferred pasta shape.
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumbers, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
Dressing
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice Can be used instead of red wine vinegar.
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes.
Preparing the Vegetables
  1. While the pasta is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion. Make sure the mozzarella is cubed and olives sliced for easy mixing.
Making the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Once the pasta has cooked, drain it and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rinsed pasta, chopped veggies, olives, and mozzarella.
Tossing in the Dressing
  1. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently until everything is well-coated.
Chilling and Serving
  1. For the best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy with your family!

Notes

Feel free to substitute the pasta with whole grain or gluten-free varieties. Make this salad a day ahead for best flavor! Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This salad is best enjoyed cold.