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Overhead view of Mediterranean Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad with penne, blistered tomatoes, roasted zucchini, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese.

Mediterranean Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad

A vibrant, flavor-packed cold pasta salad loaded with caramelized roasted zucchini, blistered cherry tomatoes, tangy feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and a zesty homemade lemon-herb dressing. Perfect for meal prep, summer picnics, or a healthy weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 340

Ingredients
  

  • - 10 oz 280g penne pasta
  • - 1 small zucchini diced and roasted
  • - 1 cup cherry tomatoes blistered
  • - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil drained and chopped
  • - 1 cup English cucumber quartered and sliced
  • - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives pitted and halved
  • - 1 cup feta cheese crumbled
  • - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves torn or chiffonade
  • - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • - Salt and black pepper to taste
Lemon-Herb Dressing Ingredients:
  • - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • - 1 clove garlic finely minced
  • - 1 tsp dried oregano

Method
 

Cook Pasta:
  1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse thoroughly under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain completely and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Roast the Vegetables:
  1. Toss the diced zucchini and whole cherry tomatoes in a hot skillet or on a sheet pan with a light drizzle of olive oil. Cook for 3–4 minutes over medium-high heat until the tomato skins blister and wrinkle, and the zucchini is tender with a light char. Set aside to cool slightly.
Whisk the Dressing:
  1. In a small bowl or jar, vigorously whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified.
Assemble the Salad:
  1. Add the cooled blistered tomatoes, roasted zucchini, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, sliced English cucumbers, and halved Kalamata olives to the bowl with the penne pasta.
Dress and Toss:
  1. Pour the prepared lemon-herb vinaigrette evenly over the pasta salad. Toss gently using salad spoons until all elements are thoroughly coated.
Finish and Garnish:
  1. Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese and torn fresh basil leaves. Garnish with an extra sprinkle of red pepper flakes and a light dust of feta before serving. Serve immediately at room temperature or chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Notes

- To make this recipe ahead, reserve a small splash of the dressing and toss it in just before serving to restore its beautiful shine.
- Do not use wine or pork products in any variations of this recipe to maintain its clean, traditional flavor profile.
- Store leftovers in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Do not freeze.