Mediterranean Cottage Cheese Pasta Salad
A refreshing and creamy pasta salad featuring cottage cheese, fresh vegetables, and a zesty dressing, perfect for summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Pasta Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups Pasta (your choice) Short shapes like fusilli, penne, or orzo are best.
- 1 cup Cottage cheese Whole-milk for a creamier texture.
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved Halving helps prevent them from exploding.
- 1 cup Cucumber, diced Use English cucumber if you dislike seeds.
- 1 cup Bell pepper, diced Any color will work; red for drama, yellow for brightness.
- 1/2 cup Olives, sliced Choose black or kalamata.
- 1/4 cup Red onion, finely chopped Chop finely to avoid large chunks.
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Olive oil Use good quality olive oil.
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice Freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
- to taste Salt Season well.
- to taste Pepper Freshly cracked if possible.
- 1/4 cup Fresh herbs (basil or parsley) Basil for a summer vibe, parsley for freshness.
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and let cool.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, cottage cheese, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, olives, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately or chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
Chill for at least 20 minutes for the flavors to meld. Add herbs just before serving for optimal freshness.