Why You Will Love This Zesty Feta Pasta Salad
You’re going to love this zesty feta pasta salad recipe because it’s packed with flavor, simple to follow, and doesn’t take much time at all! It’s zesty, crisp, and tastes just as good (if not better) than our favorite original pasta salad. This is the perfect dish to bring to a summer cookout!
Ingredients for Zesty Feta Pasta Salad
- Garden rotini:Â The colorful, twisted noodles are perfect for catching and holding onto our homemade dressing.
- Bell pepper, onion & pepperoncini:Â Half a bell pepper, half a sliced onion, and chopped pepperoncinis give this salad a beautiful, crisp texture and a sweet, savory heat.
- Olive oil & balsamic vinegar:Â The classic, rich foundation for our homemade vinaigrette dressing.
- Feta cheese:Â Mixed right into the dressing for maximum creaminess, plus extra crumbled on top at the end.
- Fresh cilantro:Â Finely chopped to give the salad a clean, herby brightness.
- Pepperoncini juice:Â A couple of tablespoons straight from the jar to give the dressing its signature zesty punch.
- Minced garlic & herb seasoning:Â Five cloves of garlic combined with a rustic garlic and herb blend to ground the vinaigrette with deep, savory flavor.
- Salt & pepper:Â To taste.
- Salad Supreme:Â The absolute ultimate finishing touch sprinkled over the top to bring all the flavors together.
How to Make Zesty Feta Pasta Salad
Start by boiling your garden rotini noodles in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions. You want to cook them just until they are al dente so they maintain a nice, firm texture. Once they are done, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the noodles down.
While the pasta is draining, whip together your zesty dressing. In a medium bowl or a large glass measuring cup, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, feta cheese, chopped fresh cilantro, pepperoncini juice, minced garlic, garlic and herb seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix it vigorously until the feta breaks down slightly and the dressing is completely combined.
In a large mixing bowl or your serving dish, toss the cooled garden rotini together with your chopped bell peppers, sliced onions, and chopped pepperoncinis. Pour that gorgeous homemade dressing directly over the pasta and veggies. Toss everything together thoroughly until every single noodle is completely coated.
To finish it off, top the entire salad with a generous shake of Salad Supreme seasoning and an extra handful of crumbled feta cheese.
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Variations & Substitutions
- Toss in a handful of halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and sliced olives to take this flavor even further!
- If you are one of those people who can’t stand cilantro, fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley or fresh chopped dill makes a fantastic substitute that still keeps things bright and green.
Other Recipes You Will Love
If you loved this, you have to try my Thai Inspired Glass Noodle Salad!
Zesty Feta Pasta Salad
Description
A bright, crisp, and herby summer pasta salad featuring garden rotini, crunchy peppers, and a bold homemade balsamic feta vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Dressing Ingredients
Instructions
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Cook the garden rotini noodles in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain completely and rinse under cold water to cool.
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In a medium bowl or glass jar, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup of feta cheese, chopped cilantro, pepperoncini juice, minced garlic, garlic & herb seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste until well blended.
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In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta, chopped bell pepper, sliced onion, and chopped pepperoncinis.
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Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss until everything is evenly coated.
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Top the salad generously with a shake of Salad Supreme seasoning and an extra handful of crumbled feta cheese.
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Dig in and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Servings 7
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 310kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 16g25%
- Saturated Fat 3g15%
- Cholesterol 5mg2%
- Sodium 280mg12%
- Total Carbohydrate 36g12%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 4g
- Protein 7g15%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
