Bursting with vibrant flavors and textures, this Mediterranean Pasta Salad is packed with crunchy veggies, creamy chickpeas, and a zesty homemade dressing. It’s the perfect make-ahead salad for potlucks, an easy lunch, or a weeknight side dish.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients Mediterranean Pasta Salad
• 🔪 How to Make Mediterranean Pasta Salad
• 💡 Tips for Making Pasta Salad
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 What to Serve with Pasta Salad
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• Can I Use Another Type of Pasta
• How Can I Make this Salad Gluten-Free?
• Is This a Healthy Salad? 
• Can I Add More Protein?
• 🍽️ More Tasty Salad Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Mediterranean Pasta Salad Recipe

• Classic Mediterranean flavors
• Colorful mix of veggies
• Creamy chickpeas and feta cheese
• Sweet juicy tomatoes
• Perfect for potlucks and BBQs
• Great make ahead side

This Mediterranean Pasta Salad has the perfect blend of hearty and fresh ingredients that come together in one irresistible salad. Tender pasta, chickpeas, vibrant vegetables, and briny olives add a delicious depth of flavor, while the feta adds a creamy tangy touch. An easy homemade dressing ties everything together with a zesty burst that’s both flavorful and refreshing.

Perfect for any occasion, this salad is also awesome as a make-ahead dish because it stays fresh for up to a couple of days. Whether you're preparing for a busy week, a casual potluck, or a simple family dinner, this bright and beautiful salad makes a delicious addition.

If you love the Mediterranean flavors in this recipe, you may also want to check out this Mediterranean Chopped Salad.

🛒 Ingredients Mediterranean Pasta Salad

• Cavatappi pasta
• Chickpeas
• Cucumber
• Tomatoes
• Feta cheese
• Red Onion
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Olives
• Capers
• Mint
• Olive oil
• Lemon Juice
• White wine vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Garlic
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Mixing bowl
• Salad dressing shaker or bowl and whisk

🔪 How to Make Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Add all of the dressing ingredients into a salad dressing shaker. If you don’t have one, you can use a mixing bowl and whisk instead.

Shake or whisk until the dressing is well combined and emulsified, then chill it in the fridge while you prepare the salad.

Cook the pasta in salted boiling water, according to the directions on the box, then drain and rinse the pasta. Add the pasta to a large mixing bowl.

Add the cucumber, halved tomatoes, olives, capers, sun-dried tomatoes and mint over the pasta.

Pour the dressing over the top.

Toss to combine, then add the crumbled feta cheese over the top.

Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour or until you are ready to serve.

💡 Tips for Making Pasta Salad

• To prevent the pasta from becoming mushy, cook it just until it's al dente. This ensures the pasta will hold its shape and texture even after mixing with the dressing.

• After cooking the pasta, rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly. This helps to prevent the pasta from sticking together and becoming overcooked.

• For the best flavor, chop all vegetables and ingredients into uniform pieces. This helps ensure that every bite has a balanced mix of flavors.

• To save time, you can pre-chop vegetables and prepare the dressing a day in advance. Just keep everything separate until you’re ready to mix.

• Taste and adjust the seasoning after it has sit in the fridge for at least an hour. You might want to add a pinch more salt, a splash of lemon juice, or extra herbs to enhance the salad’s flavor.

☑️ Storage Instructions

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. Give the salad a good stir before serving to redistribute the dressing and ensure all ingredients are well mixed.

🍴 What to Serve with Pasta Salad

The flavors of the tangy vinaigrette pair well with almost any main course. If you're looking for nutritious options, here are some of my favorite choices:

• Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks
• Air Fryer Pesto Salmon
• Pork Marsala
• Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
• Salmon Patties
• Paprika Chicken Thighs

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Chickpeas: Replace with cooked kidney beans or black beans for a different option.

• Feta cheese: Use goat cheese or shredded Parmesan if you prefer a different cheese.

• Sun-dried tomatoes: Use fresh cherry tomatoes if sun-dried tomatoes are unavailable.

• Capers: Omit if you don’t like their briny flavor or replace them with chopped pickles for a similar tang.

• Mint: Use fresh basil or parsley as an alternative.

• Roasted vegetables: Add roasted bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant for extra flavor and texture.

• Avocado: Add some diced avocado for added creaminess and richness.

• Red pepper flakes: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat.

• Artichoke hearts: Include marinated artichoke hearts for additional Mediterranean flavor.

• Pine nuts: Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts for a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.

Can I Use Another Type of Pasta

Absolutely! Feel free to substitute Cavatappi with other pasta shapes like Penne, Rotini, or Farfalle. Just make sure the pasta is cooked al dente to maintain a good texture.

How Can I Make this Salad Gluten-Free?

To make the salad gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. Many brands offer a variety of gluten-free pasta options that work well in salads.

Is This a Healthy Salad? 

Yes, the Mediterranean Pasta Salad is considered a healthy option. The salad includes vegetables like cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and red onions, which are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Chickpeas add fiber and protein. The dressing has no added refined sugars.

Can I Add More Protein?

For a protein boost, consider adding grilled chicken, shrimp or even steak.

🍽️ More Tasty Salad Recipes

• Easy Egg Salad
• Best Quinoa Salad
• Greek Pasta Salad
• Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
• Italian Pasta Salad
• Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad
• Sweet Potato Winter Salad
• Pickled Beet Salad