Quick Tomato Feta Pasta Salad Recipe: Ina Garten’s Summer Magic

Summers burst with vibrant flavors, and this Ina Garten tomato feta pasta salad recipe delivers pure Mediterranean magic on a plate.

Fresh ingredients dance together in a delightful symphony of taste and texture.

Ripe tomatoes mingle with creamy feta, creating a colorful blend that screams sunshine and relaxation.

The herbs add a bright, zesty touch that makes every bite sing with Mediterranean charm.

You’ll love how effortlessly this dish comes together, turning simple ingredients into something extraordinarily delicious.

Sharp and tangy, this pasta salad promises a refreshing escape from ordinary meal routines.

Grab your fork and get ready to savor an instant classic that will become your go-to summer recipe.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Calories: 590 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Tomato Feta Pasta Salad

• Pasta: Provides a hearty foundation for the salad, choose a short pasta like rotini or penne that catches dressing beautifully.
• Olive Oil: Prevents pasta from clumping and adds a silky texture during cooking.

• Cherry Tomatoes, Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Bring vibrant sweetness and concentrated tomato flavor, select ripe and plump varieties.
• Kalamata Olives: Introduces a tangy, salty Mediterranean kick, look for glossy and firm olives.
• Feta Cheese: Delivers creamy, sharp notes, opt for authentic Greek feta with rich, crumbly texture.

• Red Wine Vinegar: Creates bright, acidic balance in the salad, choose a high-quality, smooth variety.
• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent depth, select fresh cloves with firm, unblemished skin.
• Capers: Provides briny, peppery accent, pick small, firm buds packed in brine.
• Olive Oil: Binds dressing and adds luxurious smoothness, select extra virgin for best flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhance and harmonize overall flavor profile, use freshly ground black pepper.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers nutty, salty finish, grate fresh for maximum flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Brings bright, herbal freshness, choose vibrant green leaves.

Kitchen Gear to Get the Pasta Just Right

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta perfectly and handling big batches of ingredients.
• Colander: Crucial for draining pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Mixing Bowl: Necessary for combining pasta, vegetables, and cheese with ease.
• Food Processor: Key tool for creating smooth, well-blended dressing with consistent texture.
• Cutting Board: Helpful for chopping herbs and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Ideal for precise chopping of parsley and other ingredients.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Useful for accurate ingredient portioning.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for tossing and mixing the pasta salad gently.

Steps to Build This Tangy-Savory Salad Bowl

• Pasta Preparation

Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, adding a touch of salt to enhance flavor. Cook the pasta until it reaches a perfect al dente texture, then drain and allow it to cool completely, creating a blank canvas for the upcoming flavor explosion.

• Veggie and Cheese Harmony

Gather your colorful ingredients – juicy tomatoes, briny olives, crumbly feta, and intense sun-dried tomatoes. Combine them with the cooled pasta, creating a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired mix that promises a taste adventure.

• Dressing Magic

Unleash the food processor to transform sun-dried tomatoes, tangy vinegar, rich olive oil, zesty garlic, and salty capers into a silky smooth dressing. This magical blend will elevate the entire dish with its complex flavor profile.

• Final Flourish

Drizzle the luxurious dressing over the pasta mixture, then sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and a dusting of Parmesan cheese. Gently toss everything together, ensuring each bite is a perfect balance of textures and tastes that will transport your taste buds to the sunny Mediterranean coast.

Customizations You Can Add to Shake It Up

• Swap kalamata olives with green olives or omit them for a milder flavor profile.
• Add grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or canned tuna to transform this into a complete meal.
• Prepare the dressing and pasta one day in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator to maintain optimal texture and freshness.
• Replace regular pasta with gluten-free pasta made from chickpea, rice, or quinoa for a celiac-friendly version that doesn't compromise on taste.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or dill to introduce unique aromatic dimensions and personalize the salad's flavor signature.

Serve with Grilled Chicken or Keep It Vegetarian

• Serve Chilled for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld and intensify, creating a refreshing and zesty dish perfect for summer gatherings.
• Create a Mediterranean Feast: Pair this pasta salad with grilled chicken, lamb skewers, or crusty bread to transform it into a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal that will transport your taste buds.
• Elevate with Fresh Garnishes: Sprinkle extra fresh parsley, crumble additional feta, or add a drizzle of high-quality olive oil just before serving to enhance the visual appeal and add a final burst of flavor.
• Pack for Picnics and Potlucks: This pasta salad travels well and tastes delicious at room temperature, making it an ideal choice for outdoor events, lunch boxes, or casual gatherings with friends and family.

How to Store Feta Pasta Salad Without Drying Out

• Refrigerate for Freshness: Store this pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the flavors vibrant and ingredients crisp.
• Prepare Ahead: Mix the dressing and chop ingredients in advance, allowing the salad to develop deeper, more intense flavors when chilled for a few hours before serving.
• Keep Ingredients Separate: If planning to enjoy the salad over multiple days, store the dressing separately from the pasta mixture to prevent sogginess and maintain optimal texture.
• Revive Leftovers: Quickly refresh cold pasta salad by adding a splash of olive oil and gently stirring to restore moisture and bring back the original zesty taste.

Vibrant Ina Garten Tomato Feta Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 19 reviews

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

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Description

Summer calls for this delightful Ina Garten tomato feta pasta salad, blending Mediterranean flavors with fresh ingredients. Herb-infused pasta and juicy tomatoes create a perfect dish you’ll savor at picnics, potlucks, or quiet dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ lb (227 g) fusilli pasta
• 1 lb (454 g) ripe tomatoes, medium-diced
• 1 lb (454 g) feta cheese, medium-diced
• ¾ cup (113 g) kalamata olives, pitted and diced
• 1 cup (100 g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• 5 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
• 1 cup (30 g) flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 6 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps red wine vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, diced
• 1 tsp capers, drained
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ¾ tsp black pepper, freshly ground

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, adding a splash of olive oil. Cook pasta until perfectly al dente, typically 10-12 minutes. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to cease cooking, then cool completely.
2. Ingredient Assembly: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta with vibrant cherry tomatoes, rich Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and intense sun-dried tomato pieces, creating a colorful Mediterranean base.
3. Dressing Creation: Blend sun-dried tomatoes, red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, capers, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture transforms into a rustic, emulsified sauce with delightful texture.
4. Final Composition: Pour the aromatic dressing over the pasta mixture, ensuring each ingredient is lovingly coated. Sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan and finely chopped Italian parsley. Gently toss to marry flavors, creating a harmonious Mediterranean-style pasta salad that sings with complexity and depth.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Choose quality pasta like penne or rotini that holds dressing well and maintains texture when chilled.
• Dressing Depth: Allow ingredients to sit at room temperature before blending for more intense, developed flavor profiles.
• Chill Strategy: Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to help flavors meld and improve overall taste experience.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This pasta salad tastes even better the next day as ingredients continue to marinate and intensify in flavor.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg