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Delicious bowl of Nagi's Big Easy Pasta Salad with vibrant vegetables and dressing

Big, Easy Pasta Salad

A delightful pasta salad bursting with flavors from feta, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes, perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 500 g 500g/ 1 lb bow tie pasta (farfalle) or any other short to medium pasta
  • 2 pieces 2 cucumbers halved lengthways and finely sliced
  • 3 cups 3 cups (500g) cherry or grape tomatoes halved; or alternatively, 4 regular tomatoes chopped
  • 1/3 cup 1/3 cup Kalamata olives roughly chopped
  • 200 g 200g/ 7oz Greek feta cut into 6mm batons
  • 1 cup 1 packed cup basil leaves torn by hand
Dressing
  • 1/2 cup 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cloves 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tsp 2 tsp dijon mustard (optional)
  • 2 tsp 2 tsp honey or substitute with maple syrup or sugar
  • 1.5 tsp 1 1/2 tsp Italian herbs mix
  • 3/4 tsp 3/4 tsp cooking salt or kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp 1/4 tsp black pepper

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your bow tie pasta and cook until it’s very soft, about 2 to 3 minutes longer than the packet instructions suggest.
Prepare the Dressing
  1. In a large jar, combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, dijon mustard (if using), honey, Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until well mixed.
Flavor Soak the Pasta
  1. Once cooked, drain the pasta and transfer it into a large bowl. Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over it. Toss well and set aside for about 40 minutes to soak in the flavor.
Mix in the Vegetables and Cheese
  1. Add cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, Kalamata olives, and feta to the pasta. Pour the remaining dressing and toss gently.
Finish and Serve
  1. Add the torn basil leaves and toss once more. Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy!

Notes

To prevent stickiness, ensure the pasta is well drained and tossed with enough dressing. Consider pre-chopping ingredients to save time.