This Mediterranean Shell Pasta Salad is full of cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumbers, corn, fire-roasted peppers, green onions, and basil, all harmoniously united by the dressing of olive oil and red wine vinegar.

Why you will love this recipe
Prepare to fall head over heels for this shell pasta salad recipe!
Bursting with Vibrant Flavors: This salad is a full of flavors, with each ingredient bringing its own unique personality to the table. From the juicy sweetness of cherry tomatoes to the tangy bite of feta cheese, the refreshing crunch of cucumber, the subtle sweetness of corn, the smoky intensity of fire-roasted peppers, and the delicate zing of green onions and basil, every bite is a delightful surprise.
While this recipe embraces simplicity, it also presents a delightful twist. The combination of classic ingredients with a touch of unexpected fire-roasted peppers adds a unique and unforgettable flavor profile.
With readily available ingredients and a straightforward method, you can effortlessly create a dish that is visually stunning and bursting with flavors. It's the perfect option for a quick weeknight dinner or a dazzling addition to your potluck spread.
If you love easy pasta salad make sure to try this Orzo Salad.
The ingredients
Medium Shells: The star of the show, these medium-sized pasta shells are perfectly cooked to al dente, providing a tender yet satisfying bite. Their curved shape catches and holds the dressing and ingredients, ensuring each mouthful is a burst of flavor.
Cherry Tomatoes: These small, vibrant red jewels burst with sweetness and add a burst of freshness to the salad.
Feta Cheese: This crumbly, tangy cheese adds a creamy richness and a touch of saltiness to the salad.
Cucumber: Crisp and cool, the cucumber brings a refreshing element to the salad. When cut into cubes, its crunchy texture provides a delightful contrast to the soft pasta shells.
Corn: The sweet kernels provide bursts of natural sweetness to the salad.
Fire-Roasted Peppers: fire-roasted peppers contribute a smoky and slightly charred flavor to the salad.
Green Onion: These slender, mild onions add a subtle oniony flavor and a touch of freshness. When thinly sliced, they provide a delicate crunch and a hint of sharpness, enhancing the overall balance of flavors.
Basil: The fragrant and aromatic herb, known for its distinctive scent, brings a burst of freshness to the salad.
Olive Oil: The smooth and silky texture of the olive oil provides a luscious mouthfeel, while its fruity and slightly peppery notes tie the ingredients together.
Red Wine Vinegar: The tangy and slightly acidic nature of red wine vinegar adds a delightful zing to the dressing. It provides a balance of flavors, brightening up the salad and enhancing its overall taste profile.
See recipe card for quantities
How to make this Mediterranean Shell Pasta Salad - Step by Step
Assemble the salad by combining the pasta, the halved cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber cubes, corn, fire-roasted peppers, and thinly sliced green onions in a large mixing bowl.
Drizzle the olive oil and red wine vinegar over the salad, and mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
As a finale, sprinkle basil, and add a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper to taste.
Tips
Here are some helpful tips to enhance your experience while preparing and enjoying the shell pasta salad:
To ensure the pasta maintains a pleasant texture, cook it al dente, which means it should be cooked until it is still slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy when combined with the other ingredients.
Selecting fresh and ripe ingredients, especially when it comes to cherry tomatoes and basil, will intensify the flavors of the salad. Look for vibrant tomatoes and fragrant basil leaves to enhance the overall taste experience.
After combining all the ingredients, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to an hour before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the salad to chill
Variations
Give your shell pasta salad a Mediterranean flair by incorporating ingredients like Kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, and crumbled goat cheese. Toss in some fresh oregano and dress it with a lemon vinaigrette for a tangy and vibrant twist.
Caprese Delight: Transform the salad into a Caprese-inspired masterpiece by replacing the feta cheese with fresh mozzarella pearls. Add in cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. This variation offers a delightful harmony of flavors that will transport you to the sun-soaked Italian countryside.
Pesto Paradise: Substitute the traditional dressing with a homemade or store-bought pesto sauce. The aromatic blend of basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil will coat the pasta and vegetables with an irresistible flavor. Add in some toasted pine nuts for extra flavor and crunch.
Storage
Place the salad in an airtight container. It is best to consume the salad within 3-4 days of preparation.
Before serving any leftover salad, give it a gentle toss to redistribute the dressing and ensure an even coating.
If the salad appears slightly dry when you're ready to serve the leftovers, you can drizzle a bit of olive oil or additional dressing over it and toss gently to revive the flavors and moisten the ingredients.
Serving
This delicious pasta salad will become a summer staple and make the perfect side dish for a backyard barbecue or family reunion.
You can also serve this Mediterranean shell pasta salad as a main dish and adding some cooked chicken would be a great way to add more protein.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the recipe suggests using medium shells, you can certainly experiment with different pasta shapes. Penne, fusilli, or rotini would work well in this salad, as they can hold the dressing and ingredients beautifully.
Yes, you can prepare this salad in advance. The flavors will meld together nicely if refrigerated for 1 hour.
Certainly! This recipe serves as an excellent base, and you can customize it to your liking. Grilled chicken, store-bought rotisserie chicken, shrimp, legumes or even diced salami would make delicious additions, adding protein and an extra layer of flavor to the salad.
Mediterranean Shell Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 6 cups medium shell pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
- ¾ cup feta cheese
- 1 English cucumber cut into cubes
- 1 can (15oz) corn
- ½ cup fire roasted peppers diced
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- ¼ cup chopped basil
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by boiling the shells in a large pot of water, generously salted pot until they reach a perfect al dente texture
- Once the shells achieve the desired tenderness, drain them and gently rinse the shells under cold water to halt the cooking process. Set them aside.
- Assemble the salad by combining the pasta, the halved cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber cubes, corn, fire-roasted peppers, and thinly sliced green onions in a large bowl.
- Drizzle the olive oil and red wine vinegar over the salad, mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
- As a finale, sprinkle basil, and add pinch of salt and a dash of pepper to tate.
Notes
- To ensure the pasta maintains a pleasant texture, cook it al dente, which means it should be cooked until it is still slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy when combined with the other ingredients
- Selecting fresh and ripe ingredients, especially when it comes to cherry tomatoes and basil, will intensify the flavors of the salad. Look for vibrant tomatoes and fragrant basil leaves to enhance the overall taste experience.
Sharon
I really liked how to flavors melded together for a unique pasta salad that didn't require the typical mayonnaise combination.
Sophie
I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the unique flavor combination of this pasta salad! It's always exciting to try something different, especially when it comes to pasta salads.
Mikayla
Who doesn't enjoy a fresh pasta salad, the addition of roasted peppers really added a wonderful pop of flavor!
Sophie
I completely agree! Fresh pasta salads are always a delightful choice. Roasted peppers have a unique smoky and slightly sweet flavor that can indeed provide a wonderful pop of flavor to the dish.
Kathryn
This pasta salad was so perfect for our bbq. It was fresh, full of flavor and quick to make. Can't wait to make this again!
Sophie
I'm thrilled to hear that the pasta salad was a perfect addition to your BBQ!. I'm also glad you loved it and are already looking forward to making it again.
veenaazmanov
Pasta is my family favorite and this salad will surely be perfect at my Dinner Table. A salad combination to definitely checkout.
Sophie
Thank you for your comment, and I hope your family enjoys this pasta salad at your next dinner!
Veronika
Loved the simplicity of this pasta salad! We added some leftover chicken we had for added protein and it was so good!
Sophie
Hi Veronika,
I'm glad to hear that you loved the simplicity of the pasta salad! Sometimes, simplicity can be truly delightful. It's great to know that you made it even more satisfying by adding some leftover chicken for that extra protein boost. That's a wonderful way to use up leftovers and create a more substantial and filling meal!
Dennis
What a delicious summertime salad! My family devoured it last night with our grilled chicken.
Sophie
Hey Dennis,
I'm thrilled to hear that your family enjoyed the salad! It's always a pleasure when a dish becomes a hit and is thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Pairing it with grilled chicken sounds like a fantastic combination!
Amy Liu Dong
My husband and I love pasta so much.
This recipe looks so easy to make and looks so delicious. Perfect lunch or dinner for us.
Sophie
Hey Amy,
I hope you give it a try and that it becomes a new favorite in your pasta-loving household. Thank you for your comment, and happy cooking!
Maddy
So beleive it or not, this is a recipe that I can use to get my kids to eat some veggies! They think shell pasta is the best, so if I make this they will eat it and get a good dose of vegetables they won't eat otherwise.
Sophie
Hi Maddy,
That's fantastic to hear! It's not always easy to get kids to eat their veggies, but finding creative ways to incorporate them into their favorite dishes can make a big difference. I'm glad that using shell pasta in this recipe has made it a hit with your kids.
Kristina
This is a delicious pasta salad! I usually use bow ties or penne in my pasta salads, but love that this used shells. I can't wait to make it again!
Sophie
Hey Kristina!
I'm glad you enjoyed this variation and that it has inspired you to make it again. Thank you 🙂
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
Definitely on the menu for the 4th! The flavors meld so well together! Definitely a keeper!
Sophie
Hi Lori,
That's fantastic to hear! I'm glad this pasta salad dish has made it to your 4th of July menu. I'm also thrilled that it's a keeper. Wishing you a wonderful 4th of July celebration filled with great company and delicious food!
Jamie
Another pasta salad dish that everyone will gonna love! It is a perfect salad treat, it looks amazingly delicious! Plus we can never go wrong with pasta!
Sophie
Hey Jamie,
I'm glad you appreciate this dish, and I'm sure it will be enjoyed.