The Best Pasta Salad Recipe

This recipe contains the secret to an amazing Pasta Salad! With whole-grain penne, basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese, this fresh, flavorful, and colorful dish is perfect for a tasty meal or a fab potluck side.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Servings

Calories 349kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

4 oz. penne pasta whole grain
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 lemon juiced
2 tbsp basil pesto
1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
1/2 tsp oregano
1 sprig fresh parsley
1 tbsp capers
1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Rinse with some cold water, drain, and set aside.
To make the dressing, combine the olive oil and lemon juice in a small bowl and season with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
In a large bowl, combine the dressing with the cooked pasta, basil pesto, halved cherry tomatoes, capers, and parsley leaves. Toss well until combined, and season with some more salt and pepper.
Serve the pasta salad in a bowl and crumble the feta cheese on top. Garnish with additional parsley leaves and serve!

Notes

Go Hard: Cook your pasta al dente so that your finished salad doesn't go all mushy. Do as the instructions tell you on the pasta box then rinse the pasta in cold water once it's done so that it doesn't keep cooking (and so that the pasta doesn't stick together). I find whole grain pasta to be naturally al dente so test it out frequently to ensure you get that perfect firmness.
Just Whisk It: For a well-blended dressing, use a whisk when mixing the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and basil pesto. This will emulsify the mixture and will let you evenly coat your salad with a smooth dressing.
Marinatoes: Marinate the cherry tomatoes in the lemon-pesto dressing for 10-15 minutes to really bring out their flavor, then add them to the salad.
Chill Out: As with a lot of similar salads, let this one chill out in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. The ingredients will have a chance to mingle and you'll notice the enhanced flavors with every bite.

Nutrition