Name: Creamy Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Cottage Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: mediterranean
Ingredients: 8 ounces rotini pasta; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 cup cucumber, diced; 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 1 (16-ounce) container cottage cheese (full-fat or low-fat); 1/4 cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; Salt to taste; Black pepper to taste

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This creamy Mediterranean pasta salad is a delightful and nutritious dish that brings together the best of fresh flavors with a satisfying twist.

Creamy Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Cottage Cheese 16

It’s perfect for anyone looking for a healthy, easy-to-prepare meal that doesn’t compromise on taste. This recipe makes a fantastic lunch, a light dinner, or a wonderful addition to any potluck spread. Each serving provides about 20 grams of protein.

Get ready to enjoy a delicious and convenient meal that’s packed with vibrant vegetables, hearty pasta, and a creamy, protein-rich dressing. This recipe is designed to be straightforward, using readily available ingredients, making it a go-to for busy weeknights or meal prepping for the week ahead.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This Creamy Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Cottage Cheese is a game-changer for anyone seeking a healthy, flavorful meal that comes together quickly. It’s perfect for busy individuals, families, or anyone who appreciates a fresh, vibrant dish. You’ll love how easily it fits into a meal prep routine, providing delicious and nutritious lunches throughout the week. The combination of tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and a creamy, tangy dressing makes every bite a pleasure. It’s an excellent option for a light dinner on a warm evening, a satisfying work-from-home lunch, or a fantastic contribution to a picnic or potluck. The cottage cheese adds a wonderful creaminess and a significant protein boost, transforming a classic pasta salad into a more wholesome and filling meal without feeling heavy.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this Mediterranean pasta salad is simple, as most items are pantry staples or easily found at any grocery store. The beauty of this recipe lies in its fresh components and the unexpected, yet delightful, inclusion of cottage cheese for creaminess and protein. Don’t feel pressured to find specialty items; common brands work perfectly here.

INGREDIENTS:

8 ounces rotini pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 (16-ounce) container cottage cheese (full-fat or low-fat)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste

For the pasta, rotini is fantastic because its spirals hold the dressing and small vegetable pieces beautifully, but you can easily substitute with other short pasta shapes like penne, farfalle, or even elbow macaroni. When choosing cottage cheese, either full-fat or low-fat varieties will work well; full-fat will yield a richer, creamier dressing, while low-fat is a great option if you’re watching calories. For the olives, Kalamata olives are traditional for Mediterranean flavors, but if you prefer a milder taste, black olives can be used. Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous note, but fresh dill or even a mix of both would also be delicious.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed for efficiency, making it ideal for those busy days when you want something homemade but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes (for the pasta)
Total time: 25 minutes

The majority of the time is spent on cooking the pasta and quickly chopping the fresh vegetables. The dressing comes together in mere minutes, making this a truly fast and convenient meal solution.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this creamy Mediterranean pasta salad is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a perfect result every time.

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. This prevents the pasta from becoming mushy and helps keep the salad fresh. Set aside.
Prepare the vegetables: While the pasta cooks, wash and prepare your vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces, thinly slice the red onion, and halve the pitted Kalamata olives. Chop the fresh parsley. Place all the prepared vegetables in a large mixing bowl.
Make the creamy dressing: In a separate medium bowl or a food processor, combine the cottage cheese, olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, and garlic powder. If using a bowl, whisk vigorously until smooth and creamy. If using a food processor, blend until the dressing is completely smooth and uniform. Season the dressing with salt and black pepper to taste.
Combine ingredients: Add the cooled, drained pasta to the large mixing bowl with the prepared vegetables.
Dress the salad: Pour the creamy cottage cheese dressing over the pasta and vegetables.
Toss gently: Using a large spoon or spatula, gently toss all the ingredients together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy dressing. Ensure everything is well distributed.
Chill before serving: For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly. A longer chill time, up to a few hours, will enhance the taste even further.
Serve and enjoy: Give the salad a final stir before serving. You can garnish with a little extra fresh parsley or a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese if desired.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This Creamy Mediterranean Pasta Salad is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions.

Kid-Friendly Tweaks: If your kids are hesitant about certain vegetables, try dicing them extra small or offering them on the side. You can also use milder black olives instead of Kalamata. Adding a handful of cooked, shredded chicken or chickpeas can make it even more appealing and filling for little ones.
Protein Boosts: For an even heartier meal, stir in some grilled chicken, canned tuna, cooked shrimp, or a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas. These additions make it a complete and satisfying main course.
Extra Veggies: Feel free to add other Mediterranean-inspired vegetables like bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), artichoke hearts (canned and drained), or sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained, and chopped).
Herb Swaps: While parsley is classic, experiment with other fresh herbs like dill, mint, or even a touch of fresh basil for a different flavor profile.
Serving Suggestions: This pasta salad is fantastic on its own as a light lunch or dinner. It also pairs wonderfully as a side dish with grilled chicken, fish, or lamb. For a party or buffet, serve it in a large, attractive bowl, perhaps with some pita bread or crackers on the side for scooping. A sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese or a few extra Kalamata olives on top makes for a beautiful presentation.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help you achieve perfect results with your creamy Mediterranean pasta salad.

Overcooking the Pasta: Mushy pasta is a common issue in pasta salads. To avoid this, cook your pasta only until al dente, meaning it’s firm to the bite. Rinsing it with cold water immediately after draining also helps stop the cooking process and prevents it from sticking together.
Not Chilling Long Enough: While you can technically eat this salad right away, the flavors truly deepen and meld when it has time to chill. Rushing this step means you miss out on the full flavor experience. Aim for at least 30 minutes, but an hour or two is even better.
Too Much Dressing: While the cottage cheese dressing is delicious, adding too much can make the salad overly wet or heavy. Start with the recommended amount and add more only if the salad seems dry after tossing and chilling. Remember, pasta can absorb a lot of liquid as it sits.
Uneven Vegetable Distribution: Make sure to dice your vegetables to a similar size to ensure even distribution and a balanced bite every time. Large chunks of one vegetable can overpower others.
Forgetting to Season: Don’t forget to season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste. A little seasoning goes a long way in bringing out all the fresh flavors. Taste and adjust as needed before mixing with the pasta.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This creamy Mediterranean pasta salad is an excellent candidate for meal prep and stores beautifully, maintaining its delicious texture and flavor for several days.

Storing Leftovers: Once prepared, transfer any leftover pasta salad to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will continue to meld and develop, often tasting even better the next day.
Make-Ahead Tips: You can easily make this salad a day or two in advance. Prepare the pasta,

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.