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The Ultimate Summer Potluck Pasta Salad: A Crowd-Pleasing Hit!

Discover the best summer potluck pasta salad recipe! Easy to make, bursting with fresh flavors, and guaranteed to be a hit at your next outdoor gathering. Perfect for BBQs and picnics.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 16 hours 52 minutes
Total Time 2 days 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 -8
Course: Sides & Appetizers

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound rotini or farfalle pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup bell pepper any color, diced
  • 1/2 cup black olives sliced
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill chopped (optional)
  • For the Dressing:
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well using a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, finely chop the red onion, and slice the black olives. Add these to the bowl with the pasta.
  3. Crumble the feta cheese over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Add the chopped fresh parsley and dill (if using) to the bowl.
  4. In a separate small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and dried oregano. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk until well combined and emulsified.
  5. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad. Gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix, which can make the pasta mushy.
  6. For best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to several hours) to allow the flavors to meld before serving. This step is crucial for a truly delicious pasta salad.