Ina Garten's Feta and Tomato Pasta Salad

This is a flavorful pasta salad that has rave reviews on Food Network. It is made with loads of cheese and sundried tomatoes as well as fresh tomatoes, capers, olives and a full cup of grated Parmesan cheese. It's filled with flavor, but the salty flavors are offset by fresh and tangy ingredients like red wine vinegar, garlic, black pepper, and a cup of chopped parsley.

Ina Garten's Feta Tomato Pasta SaladPhoto byFood Network

Ingredients you will need for this recipe:

For the pasta mixture:

• 1/2 pound fusilli (spirals) pasta
• Kosher salt
• Good olive oil
• 1 pound ripe tomatoes, medium-diced
• 3/4 cup good black olives, such as kalamata, pitted and diced
• 1 pound good feta cheese, medium-diced
• 6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped

For the pasta dressing:

• 5 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 6 tablespoons good olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, diced
• 1 teaspoon capers, drained
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1 cup packed flat-leaf parsley, chopped

How to make Ina Garten's Tomato Feta Pasta Salad:

Pasta mixture instructions:

Cook the pasta in a big pot of boiling salted water, adding a little oil to prevent it from sticking. Let it boil for 12 minutes, or as instructed on the package. Once cooked, drain it well and let it cool. Transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl and mix in the tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

Pasta dressing instructions:

To make the dressing, blend together the sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, capers, salt, and pepper in a food processor until it becomes almost a smooth mixture.

Drizzle the dressing onto the pasta, generously sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley, and mix well.

Variations to this recipe:

Ina Garten's recipe is a tasty mix of salty, sweet, tangy, and fresh flavors. If you want to add meat to this salad, try adding chopped salami, prosciutto, sopressata, or bacon for an extra protein and flavor. Canned tuna, chicken, or sardines are also great options to consider. This salad is great as is and pairs well with grilled meats.

NOTE: This salad contains a lot of salty ingredients and is heavy on the cheese. If you prefer a lighter version, cut down on the cheese and eliminate the added salt.

This recipe for Tomato Feta Pasta Salad was orinally created by Ina Garten on the Food Network.