5 from 3 votes
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 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
3
Calories:
349 kcal
Course:
Main Course, Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 4 ounces penne pasta whole grain
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon juiced
- 2 tablespoons basil pesto
- 1 cup cherry tomato halved
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1 prig parsley fresh
- 1 tablespoon 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!
Cup of Yum
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 Information
Calories
349kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
36g
(12%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Cholesterol
23mg
(8%)
Sodium
461mg
(19%)
Potassium
265mg
(6%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
595IU
(12%)
Vitamin C
31mg
(34%)
Calcium
169mg
(17%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 3 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 349
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 349kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 36g | 12% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 23mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 461mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 265mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 595IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 31mg | 34% |
| Calcium | 169mg | 17% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.