Quick & Easy Jamie Oliver Pasta Salad Recipe for Summer Joy

Pasta salad bursts with vibrant Mediterranean flavors that dance across your plate like culinary sunshine.

Fresh ingredients transform this classic dish into something truly magical and irresistible.

Light, refreshing textures merge with bold, zesty notes that awaken every taste bud.

Simple combinations create extraordinary moments around the dining table, inviting connection through delicious shared experiences.

Each forkful promises a delectable journey through harmonious ingredients that complement one another perfectly.

The magic lies in carefully balanced elements that elevate a humble pasta salad into a remarkable meal.

Unexpected twists and bright, crisp components make this recipe shine with incredible potential: gather your ingredients and get ready to impress.

Pasta Salad Tips to Keep It Flavorful

• Boost Pasta's Potential: Add a splash of reserved cooking water to create a silky, clingy sauce that helps dressing adhere perfectly.
• Master Herb Mixing: Chop fresh herbs right before adding to prevent wilting and preserve vibrant colors and intense aromatics.
• Chill Smart: Let pasta cool completely before mixing with vegetables to prevent soggy textures and maintain crisp vegetable crunch.
• Season Strategically: Salt pasta water generously and taste dressing before final mix to ensure balanced, bold flavor throughout.
• Prep Ahead Wisely: Store dressed salad separately from delicate ingredients like herbs and soft vegetables to maintain optimal texture and freshness.

Keep Jamie’s Pasta Salad Fresh for Hours

• Vacuum Seal Method: Extract all air from the container using a vacuum sealer to prevent oxidation and maintain freshness. Seal pasta salad in specialized vacuum bags, removing oxygen that causes rapid deterioration of herbs and vegetables.
• Glass Container Method: Store pasta salad in clear, airtight glass containers with secure locking lids. Select containers with wide mouths for easy filling and cleaning, preventing moisture buildup and preserving ingredient texture.
• Portion Control Method: Divide pasta salad into individual serving-sized containers before refrigerating. Separate portions prevent cross-contamination, minimize repeated opening of main container, and enable quick grab-and-go meals for busy schedules.

Creative Pasta Salad Variations to Enjoy

• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Replace chives with fresh oregano and add crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version that brings tangy Mediterranean flavors to the classic pasta salad.
• Spicy Chorizo Kick: Incorporate diced Spanish chorizo and swap basil for fresh cilantro, creating a bold and zesty profile that adds richness and heat to the original recipe.
• Roasted Vegetable Blend: Grill zucchini, bell peppers, and red onions before chopping and mixing into the pasta, introducing a smoky depth and caramelized vegetable sweetness that elevates the dish's complexity.
• Protein-Packed Edition: Mix in grilled chicken or canned tuna, complementing the existing ingredients while boosting the salad's nutritional value and making it a more substantial meal option.

Pasta Salad Wrap-Up with a Twist

Mediterranean pasta charm awaits with Jamie Oliver’s vibrant recipe.

Fresh ingredients dance together in perfect harmony, creating a symphony of flavors.

Crisp cucumber, fragrant basil, and ripe tomatoes mingle alongside tender pasta.

Garden-fresh herbs elevate this simple dish into a culinary masterpiece.

Mediterranean essence captures summer’s pure spirit with each delightful bite.

You’ll savor this colorful salad, share its magic with friends, spark conversation, and inspire kitchen creativity – bon appétit!

Why Jamie Oliver’s Pasta Salad Is a Summer Staple

• Burst with Fresh Mediterranean Flavors: Jamie Oliver's pasta salad explodes with vibrant ingredients like crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and aromatic herbs that transport your taste buds straight to a sunny coastal kitchen.
• Speedy Gourmet Meal in Minutes: This recipe delivers restaurant-quality deliciousness in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want maximum taste with minimal effort and time investment.
• Customizable Texture Symphony: The combination of tender pasta, crunchy olives, and soft chopped vegetables creates a delightful mouthfeel that keeps every bite interesting and provides multiple sensory experiences in a single dish.
• Smart No-Waste Garlic Technique: By using roasted garlic cloves in both the pasta cooking process and the dressing, this recipe maximizes flavor potential while minimizing ingredient waste, showcasing clever culinary efficiency.

Ingredients for Jamie Oliver’s Pasta Salad

• Pasta: Holds the main structure of the salad, best when cooked al dente.
• Garlic Cloves: Provides robust and intense flavor for the dressing, fresh cloves recommended.

• Cucumber: Adds crispness and refreshing texture to the salad.
• Chives: Brings a mild onion-like flavor and vibrant green color.
• Basil: Contributes a classic Mediterranean herb taste and aroma.
• Olives: Introduces a salty and tangy element to the dish.
• Tomatoes: Provides juiciness and bright color to the pasta salad.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps season the dish.
• Vinegar: Adds tanginess and balances the dressing's profile.
• Olive Oil: Creates smooth and rich base for the dressing, extra virgin preferred.
• Additional Herbs: Offers extra layer of seasoning and freshness to complete the salad.

How to Make a Vibrant Pasta Salad

Step 1: Boil Pasta With Garlic

Fill a large pot with water and add of salt. Bring to a rolling boil. Add 3 whole garlic cloves and of pasta. Cook until pasta reaches al dente texture, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta and rinse under cold water to stop cooking process. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare Vegetable Mix

• 1 cucumber, diced
• Fresh chives, chopped
• Fresh basil leaves, torn
• Kalamata olives, halved
• Cherry tomatoes, quartered

Step 3: Create Zesty Dressing

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 4: Combine And Season

Mix pasta with chopped vegetables in a large bowl. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently. Sprinkle additional fresh herbs like parsley or oregano for extra flavor. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Jamie Oliver Pasta Salad Recipe

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• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean pasta salad brings sunshine from Italy’s coastal regions to your plate. Fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and tangy feta create a light yet satisfying dish you’ll crave all summer long.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 310 g (10.9 oz) small shell-shaped pasta
• 255 g (9 oz) yellow cherry tomatoes
• 255 g (9 oz) red cherry tomatoes
• 1 handful black olives, pitted
• ½ cucumber

Fresh Herbs and Aromatics:

• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives
• 1 handful fresh basil

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 4 tablespoons white wine vinegar, or to taste
• 7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot filled with salted water to a rolling boil. Add whole garlic cloves and pasta, cooking until the pasta reaches an al dente texture. Carefully drain and immediately rinse under cold running water to halt the cooking process and cool down the ingredients.
2. Carefully extract the softened garlic cloves from their papery skins and set aside for preparing the dressing. Transfer the cooled pasta to a spacious mixing bowl.
3. Finely dice the cucumber, chives, fresh basil leaves, olives, and ripe tomatoes into uniform pieces approximately half the size of the pasta pieces, ensuring consistent texture and even distribution throughout the salad.
4. Using a mortar and pestle, thoroughly crush the reserved garlic cloves into a smooth paste. Gradually incorporate vinegar, olive oil, and selected seasonings, whisking until the ingredients form a harmonious, well-integrated dressing.
5. Gently pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture, using a large spoon to delicately coat all ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional herbs or salt and pepper as needed, ensuring a balanced and flavorful final dish.

Notes

• Selecting the right pasta shape matters most for texture and sauce absorption.
• Chilling ingredients beforehand enhances the overall salad’s refreshing quality.
• Chopping vegetables uniformly ensures consistent flavor in every bite.
• Storing leftovers requires airtight containers to maintain crispness.
• Preparing components ahead saves time during meal preparation.
• Customize the recipe by adding protein like grilled chicken or shrimp.
• Experiment with herbs from your garden for a personalized touch.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly than cold ones.
• Rinsing pasta under cold water stops cooking and prevents clumping.
• Draining pasta thoroughly prevents watery dressing and soggy texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg