This tomato feta pasta salad seems to get better every time I make it! Throw together this quick and easy summery dish for dinner tonight.
Sweet tomatoes and tangy vinegar perfectly complement the saltiness of the cheese and olives in this dish.
Trust me, you’ll be tempted to stand in front of the fridge and sneak bites throughout the day!
If you’re familiar with TikTok, you might remember the viral tomato and feta pasta bake that caused a shortage of the crumbly cheese. Try my version with sausage and spinach or add whatever mix-ins sound appetizing!
I also have a delicious Greek pasta salad with feta cheese, tortellini, kalamata olives, and plenty of veggies. It’s easy to throw together for a weeknight meal or take to a summer potluck.
Tomato Feta Pasta Salad - Helpful Tips and Tricks
- Swap out the noodles. Rotini has plenty of nooks and crannies to hold all of the sauce, but penne, bowtie, or cavatappi are all great alternatives.
- Tip for easy prep: There’s a quick way to cut tomatoes and olives in half, and you’ll never do it another way again! Simply place them between two lids and run a sharp knife right through the middle.
- Use high quality oil. The simplicity of this recipe means every flavor is important. A good bottle of extra virgin olive oil will make a big difference!
- Need to feed a crowd? Easily double the amounts if needed, just be sure your mixing bowl is large enough! If not, carefully divide the ingredients and sauce between two containers so everything is evenly distributed.
Serving Suggestions
This is certainly filling enough on its own, but it’s also great as a side dish with lamb, steak, or pork chops.
This is certainly filling enough on its own, but it’s also great as a side dish with lamb, steak, or pork chops.
You could even chop up some chicken breasts and toss them in with everything to round out the dish.
Don’t forget some focaccia or your favorite crusty bread for soaking up that delicious dressing!
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Large Pot and Strainer for the noodles
- Food processor - If you don’t have one, any high speed blender should be able to handle the job.
- Quality Knives and a big solid Cutting Board make prepping a breeze and are well worth the investment.
FAQ - Common Recipe Questions
Can I use a different cheese?While I love the saltiness and tang of this pasta salad with feta cheese, I understand that everyone will be a fan.
Aged goat cheese is just as crumbly but not as intense, and mozzarella (either cubed or pearl) has a milder flavor overall.
How many servings does this recipe make?
It should serve 6 to 8 people depending on who goes back for seconds!
It should serve 6 to 8 people depending on who goes back for seconds!
You could also enjoy this for dinner one night and save leftovers for lunch the rest of the week. This should stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Can I make tomato feta pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes, but I recommend no earlier than the night before if you will be serving it to guests.
Yes, but I recommend no earlier than the night before if you will be serving it to guests.
Another option would be to prep everything in advance and put it together at the last minute.
Keep the ingredients in separate containers in the refrigerator, and drizzle the rotini with a little olive oil to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
Enjoy!
With love from our simple kitchen to yours.
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MORE PASTA SALAD RECIPES
Bacon Ranch Tortellini Pasta Salad
BLT Pasta Salad
Hawaiian Tortellini Pasta Salad
Steak Fajita Pasta Salad
BLT Pasta Salad
Hawaiian Tortellini Pasta Salad
Steak Fajita Pasta Salad
Video: Feta Pasta Salad With Tomatoes
To see us prepare this from start to finish, watch the video at the top of this post.Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Tomato Feta Pasta Salad
This tomato feta pasta salad seems to get better every time I make it! Throw together this quick and easy summery dish for dinner tonight.
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 12 MinTotal time: 22 Min
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound rotini pasta
- Kosher salt
- Extra Virgin olive oil
- 1 pound grape tomatoes, halved
- 3/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1 pound feta cheese, medium-diced
- 6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
For the dressing
- 5 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, diced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 cup packed flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water. Boil for 12 minutes, or according to the directions on the package. Drain well and allow to cool. Place the pasta in a bowl and add the tomatoes, olives, feta and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
- For the dressing, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a food processor until almost smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta, sprinkle with the Parmesan and parsley, and toss well.
- Serve immediately or cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate and serve later.
Recipe slightly adapted from Ina Garten's version
Originally published August 2011, updated and republished July 2021
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Yes, this was delicious, but darn that feta!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Mary - I probably would have made the same face if I was thought I was going to be eating Mozzarella. :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious and am eager to try it with the Feta.
Have to say... your bestie has a great name ;)
ReplyDeleteI just love Ina's recipes. Always such clean, developed flavors. This dressing looks killer. Also love the cubed feta. Looks so pretty in there. Now if they'd only make goat feta that could be cut up like that, I'd be in heaven.
Ha ha ha I love feta ten times more than mozzarella!
ReplyDeleteYour salad sounds so good!! I love Ina's recipes!
ina is the best!! mmmm, feta :)
ReplyDeleteSam @ fitness food & faith
Haha! I loved the fact that the cook made what the cook loves! We have a rule in our grey cottage ... don't second guess the cook. She makes the food decisions - so be kind when criticizing.
ReplyDeleteYour pasta tomatoes and feta look positively delish! God bless Ina, huh?
Yes ,Plump tomatoes creame feta and the feast can start:)
ReplyDeletelooks great and I often treat myself to meals I want he he will post a link to your spaghetti al limone this week
ReplyDeleteI could eat this kind of food every day - nice recipe!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'd have to eat this whole salad by myself, too, but I'd be willing It looks fabulous...and lucky you with the gifted tomatoes...mmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteWow your pasta alone sounds awesome, but with that decadent topping? Delicious!
ReplyDeleteOh Ina, she's just awesome. This looks fabulous. So nice you made the peanut butter pie. Reading about Mikey just broke my heart =(
ReplyDeleteSuch a simple and a great way to enjoy some tomatoes!
ReplyDeleteThis salad looks wonderful. I love the vibrant colors and the flavors sound perfect!
ReplyDeletethat's a delighting pasta! i prefer parmesan or mozarella over feta but feta isnt that bad..just a little cheesy and salty for me.Tomatoes, we all just love them!!
ReplyDeleteThis recipe is awesome! It is simple to make, light, and the taste, well, awesome! I was looking for a good recipe that included pasta lately, but couldn't find anything and just as I was about to give up, I found your site! Lucky me!!
ReplyDeleteTried this recipe and loved it. So did all my friends. Blogged about it here-
ReplyDeletehttp://thenovicehousewife.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/february-src-tslrs-tomato-feta-pasta-salad/