Ina Garten’s Tomato Feta Pasta Salad Recipe for Summer Tables

Tomato feta pasta salad bursts with Mediterranean-inspired flavors that dance across your palate like a culinary symphony.

Summer’s freshest ingredients mingle in this vibrant dish, creating a refreshing experience that transcends ordinary meal preparations.

Rich, tangy cheese crumbles complement juicy produce with remarkable harmony.

Each ingredient brings its unique personality to the plate, transforming simple components into something extraordinary.

The combination delivers a perfect balance between creamy and bright elements that feel simultaneously sophisticated and approachable.

Light yet substantial, this recipe promises to elevate any gathering with its elegant simplicity.

You’ll find yourself craving every delightful, herb-infused bite: prepare to be amazed.

Fun Feta-Packed Variations to Try

• Mediterranean Herb Pasta: Replace sun-dried tomatoes with a blend of fresh basil, oregano, and thyme for a vibrant, herbaceous flavor profile that captures Mediterranean essence.
• Spicy Chorizo Fusion: Add crispy diced chorizo and smoked paprika to the pasta salad, introducing a rich, smoky heat that complements the tangy feta and olives.
• Roasted Vegetable Version: Incorporate grilled zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant instead of raw tomatoes, creating a deeper, caramelized vegetable undertone that elevates the dish's complexity.
• Greek-Inspired Protein Boost: Mix in grilled chicken or chickpeas to transform the salad into a more substantial meal with extra protein and Mediterranean authenticity.

Recap: Tomato Feta Pasta Salad Goodness

Mediterranean pasta salad whisks you into a culinary journey with Ina Garten’s signature style.

Delicate flavors mingle through each carefully crafted bite, revealing rich textures and complex notes.

Fresh ingredients dance alongside tangy feta and robust sun-dried tomatoes, creating Mediterranean magic on your plate.

Capers and garlic add unexpected depth, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary experience.

Mediterranean essence flows through this recipe, connecting classic techniques with modern comfort.

Hungry souls will crave another forkful – share this delectable discovery, comment with your pasta passion, and let fellow food enthusiasts savor this sensational recipe.

Why Tomato Feta Pasta Salad Is a Tangy Treat

• Burst with Mediterranean Flavors: Experience a vibrant symphony of tangy feta, rich sun-dried tomatoes, and briny olives that transport your taste buds straight to the sunny coastlines of Greece.
• Effortlessly Elegant Meal Prep: Whip up this pasta salad in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect quick lunch, potluck contribution, or make-ahead dinner option that looks and tastes like you spent hours preparing.
• Texture Party in Every Bite: Enjoy a delightful contrast between creamy feta, chewy sun-dried tomatoes, soft pasta, and crunchy capers that keeps your palate excited and engaged throughout the meal.
• No-Fuss Gourmet Technique: Leverage the simple food processor dressing method that blends ingredients into a smooth, restaurant-quality sauce without complicated cooking steps, making this recipe accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.

Your Ingredient Guide to This Pasta Salad

• Pasta: Classic Mediterranean-style pasta perfect for salads, preferably short shapes like fusilli or penne for better dressing coverage.

• Tomatoes, Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Vibrant, concentrated flavor that adds depth and slight sweetness to the pasta salad.
• Olives: Briny Mediterranean ingredient that provides a salty, rich contrast to other ingredients.
• Feta Cheese: Creamy Greek cheese with tangy flavor that complements the Mediterranean profile.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds bright, clean finish and color to the dish.

• Olive Oil: High-quality extra virgin oil for smooth, rich base of the dressing.
• White Wine Vinegar: Acidic component that balances and brightens the overall flavor.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that adds robust, aromatic depth to the dressing.
• Capers: Small, pickled flower buds that contribute a tangy, briny punch.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing and balancing the dish's flavors.
• Parmesan Cheese: Optional finishing cheese that adds nutty, salty dimension to the salad.

How to Assemble Tomato Feta Pasta Salad

Step 1: Prepare Pasta Base

Cook pasta in a generously salted pot of water with a splash of olive oil. Follow package instructions, typically around 12 minutes. Drain and allow to cool completely at room temperature.

Step 2: Chop Fresh Ingredients

• Cherry tomatoes
• Kalamata olives
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Chopped sun-dried tomatoes

Step 3: Create Vibrant Dressing

• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Red wine vinegar
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Minced garlic
• Capers
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Step 4: Combine And Garnish

• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Freshly chopped parsley

Toss everything together until ingredients are evenly distributed. Serve chilled or at room temperature for maximum flavor enjoyment.

Pro Tip: This pasta salad tastes even better after sitting for an hour, allowing flavors to meld together beautifully.

Helpful Tips for a Flavorful Toss

• Elevate with Premium Cheese: Select a creamy, tangy Greek feta that crumbles beautifully and enhances the pasta's overall taste profile.
• Pasta Cooling Technique: Rinse cooked pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping, ensuring a perfect al dente texture.
• Herb Fresh Factor: Chop fresh basil and oregano just before adding to maintain maximum flavor and aromatic intensity.
• Olive Oil Quality Matters: Use extra virgin olive oil for a rich, authentic Mediterranean taste that complements the salad's fresh ingredients.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the salad a few hours in advance to allow flavors to meld and develop a more complex, delicious taste.

Smart Ways to Store This Pasta Dish

• Vacuum Seal Method: Remove excess air using a vacuum sealer to preserve freshness and prevent freezer burn. This technique extends the pasta salad's shelf life by creating an airtight environment that locks in flavors and prevents moisture infiltration.
• Glass Container Storage: Transfer the pasta salad to a clean, clear glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Glass containers prevent flavor absorption from other foods and allow you to easily see the contents, making meal planning a breeze.
• Individual Portion Technique: Divide the pasta salad into single-serving containers for quick grab-and-go lunches. This method helps maintain the salad's texture and prevents repeated exposure to air and potential contamination when repeatedly opening a large container.

Ina Garten Tomato Feta Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mediterranean magic shines through Ina Garten’s tomato feta pasta salad, blending sun-kissed tomatoes, creamy feta, and aromatic herbs. Refreshing ingredients dance together, delivering a perfect summer dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• ½ pound (227 grams) fusilli (spirals) pasta
• 1 pound (454 grams) ripe tomatoes, medium-diced
• ¾ cup (113 grams) black olives, such as kalamata, pitted and diced
• 1 pound (454 grams) feta cheese, medium-diced
• 1 cup (100 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Secondary Ingredients:

• 6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• 5 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
• 1 cup (30 grams) packed flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, diced
• 1 teaspoon capers, drained

Dressing Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Fill a spacious pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Submerge the pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes or according to package instructions until al dente. Carefully drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process, then allow to cool completely.
2. Prepare the salad base by combining the cooled pasta with ripe cherry tomatoes, briny Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and intensely flavored sun-dried tomato pieces in a large mixing bowl.
3. Create a vibrant dressing by combining sun-dried tomatoes, red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic cloves, tangy capers, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a food processor. Pulse the ingredients until the mixture reaches a slightly chunky, emulsified consistency.
4. Drizzle the aromatic dressing over the pasta mixture, ensuring even coating. Generously sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and finely chopped Italian parsley. Gently toss all ingredients to distribute flavors and dressing thoroughly, creating a harmonious Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad.

Notes

• Elevate flavor by selecting premium feta cheese from local markets or specialty stores.
• Prevent soggy textures by allowing pasta to cool completely before combining with fresh ingredients.
• Create balanced taste profiles by tasting and adjusting seasonings gradually with small pinches of salt and cracked pepper.
• Maximize freshness by chopping vegetables just before mixing to retain crisp textures and vibrant colors.
• Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to two days, understanding that herbs and delicate vegetables might lose their initial crunch.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 490 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg