Pasta Salad with Feta Cheese and Tomatoes + Video
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This Pasta Salad with Feta Cheese seems to get better every time I make it! Kalamata olives plus cherry and sundried tomatoes pair perfectly with the salty, tangy cheese — all in an easy, homemade dressing! Throw together this quick and easy summery dish for dinner tonight.
Table of Contents
Pasta Salad with Feta Cheese
If you’re familiar with TikTok, you might remember the viral tomato and feta pasta bake that caused a shortage of the crumbly cheese.
Well, I came up with this feta pasta salad recipe as a chilled alternative — perfect for summer!
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!
The only thing more refreshing than this pasta salad with feta cheese is a watermelon cucumber salad instead.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Pasta – Rotini has plenty of nooks and crannies to hold all of the sauce, but penne, bowtie, or cavatappi are all great alternatives. Remember, you only need half the box!
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – My top choice for dressings! Be sure to use a high-quality oil as the simplicity of this recipe means every flavor is important.
- Grape Tomatoes – These aren’t as sweet as cherry tomatoes, making them perfect to pair with all the salty flavors in this dish.
They also mix into the feta pasta salad a bit easier since they’re the same shape as the olives. - Kalamata Olives – Find these either in jars or in the deli section of the grocery store. They’ll need to be pitted and halved for this pasta salad tomato feta recipe.
- Feta Cheese – The star of the show, really. Grab a block and cut it into cubes rather than using the crumbled variety.
- Sundried Tomatoes – Find these packed in oil near the olives. Drain them really well and chop into smaller pieces as needed. You’ll need some for the homemade dressing as well.
- Dressing – Combine sundried tomatoes with more olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, freshly grated parmesan, plenty of fresh parsley, and salt and pepper.
To save time, you can toss the top of the parsley bunch in one rip — the thinner stems will get blended in the food processor anyway.
Tips and Tricks for Making This Pasta Salad with Feta Recipe
- Always salt your pasta water!
Don’t worry — it doesn’t make your pasta taste salty. Rather, it adds flavor and prevents the noodles from sticking together or having a gummy texture.
- Halve tomatoes and olives in seconds.
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.
- Need to feed a crowd?
Easily double this recipe for pasta salad with feta cheese 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.
Prep Ahead
- Dice cheese
- Pit olives, halve with grape tomatoes
- Drain and chop sundried tomatoes
- Make the dressing
- Bring pot of water to boil
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Large Pot and Strainer for the noodles
- Food Processor – Makes quick work of the dressing ingredients for the smoothest consistency.
- Salad Bowl – The bigger, the better so you have plenty of room to mix everything together.
Serving Suggestions
This pasta salad with feta recipe 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 this tomato feta pasta salad to round out the dish.
Don’t forget some focaccia or your favorite crusty bread for soaking up that delicious dressing!
Pasta Salad Tomato Feta FAQ
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.
Pasta salad with tomato and feta 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.
Yes, but I recommend making it 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.
Storing Leftover Feta Pasta Salad
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer leftover tomato feta pasta salad to an airtight container.
It will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days, though it may start to dry out over time.
I like to make a little extra dressing, keep it in a jar in the fridge, and use it to refresh leftovers as needed.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Pasta Salad with Feta Cheese and Tomatoes + Video
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 clove garlic, diced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 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.
Video
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published August 2011, updated and republished July 2024
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Yes, this was delicious, but darn that feta!
I'm with Mary – I probably would have made the same face if I was thought I was going to be eating Mozzarella. ๐
Looks delicious and am eager to try it with the Feta.
Have to say… your bestie has a great name ๐
I 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!
Your salad sounds so good!! I love Ina's recipes!
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.
Your pasta tomatoes and feta look positively delish! God bless Ina, huh?
Yes ,Plump tomatoes creame feta and the feast can start:)
looks great and I often treat myself to meals I want he he will post a link to your spaghetti al limone this week
I could eat this kind of food every day – nice recipe!
Oh, 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.
Wow your pasta alone sounds awesome, but with that decadent topping? Delicious!
ina is the best!! mmmm, feta ๐
Sam @ fitness food & faith
Oh Ina, she's just awesome. This looks fabulous. So nice you made the peanut butter pie. Reading about Mikey just broke my heart =(
Such a simple and a great way to enjoy some tomatoes!
This salad looks wonderful. I love the vibrant colors and the flavors sound perfect!
that'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!!
This 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!!
Tried this recipe and loved it. So did all my friends. Blogged about it here-
http://thenovicehousewife.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/february-src-tslrs-tomato-feta-pasta-salad/
This was an awesome salad, I love tomato and feta together. I’ll be making this on rotation with your other salads.
Spoon the pasta salad onto a bed of fresh spinach on your plate. Perfection!
Absolutely loved this recipe! It’s perfect for a summer potluck.
Hi Ruby!
Glad that you enjoyed the recipe!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn