Fresh Summer Pasta Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette
This Fresh Summer Pasta Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette is light, tangy, and packed with flavor, everything you want in an easy warm weather meal. With juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, briny black olives, and creamy feta cheese, every bite is refreshing and satisfying. The whole salad is tossed in a zesty Dijon champagne vinaigrette that brings all the flavors together.
Whether you’re headed to a BBQ, planning a picnic, or just looking for a quick weeknight dinner, this pasta salad will be your go-to. It’s simple, versatile, and can easily be made gluten-free or vegan depending on your preferences. Pair it with grilled chicken, fish, or simply enjoy it on its own for a light, wholesome meal.
Why You’ll Love This Fresh Summer Pasta Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette
- Perfect for gatherings – Ideal for cookouts, picnics, and potlucks.
- Customizable – Swap in your favorite veggies, cheese, or herbs.
- Make-ahead friendly – Tastes even better the next day after the flavors have marinated.
- Diet-friendly – Use gluten-free pasta to make it GF, or swap in vegan feta to keep it plant-based.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Fusilli pasta (or other short pasta)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Black olives
- Cucumber
- Shallot
- Parsley
- Basil (optional)
- Feta cheese (or vegan feta)
- Champagne vinegar (I love O’s Champagne Vinegar)
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder (or 1 fresh garlic clove, grated)
- Dijon mustard
- Italian seasoning
- Fine sea salt
- Black pepper
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Make it heartier – Add chickpeas, grilled chicken, or shrimp.
- Change up the veggies – Try bell peppers, zucchini, or artichoke hearts.
- Meal prep friendly – Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
This Mediterranean-inspired summer pasta salad is fresh, vibrant, and ridiculously easy to make. Save this recipe for your next picnic, BBQ, or meal prep session—it’s guaranteed to be a crowd favorite!
If you make this recipe, leave a comment or tag me on Instagram so I can see your delicious summer pasta creations.
Check out the step-by-step video here:
How to make Fresh Summer Pasta Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette
Looking for more easy summer recipes? Here are a few ideas:
- Easy Vegan Spinach Basil Pesto
- Easy Avocado Toast with Radish and Tomato
- Easy Sparkling Paloma Cocktail/Mocktail
Fresh Summer Pasta Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Main dish
Description
This fresh summer pasta salad is light, tangy, and packed with flavor! It’s made with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, briny olives, and creamy feta all tossed in a zesty Dijon champagne vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Pasta salad ingredients:
- 1/2 lb. uncooked fusilli pasta or other short pasta (use gluten free pasta to make it GF)
- 1/2 pint (about 1 cup) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
- 2 tbsp minced shallot
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
- 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (use vegan feta to keep this vegan)
Dressing ingredients:
- 3 tbsp champagne vinegar
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3/4 tsp garlic powder or 1 garlic clove grated
- 1 1/4 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3/4 tsp fine sea salt + more to taste
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta: cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl. Toss pasta with a little olive oil so it doesn’t stick together. Set aside and allow to cool to room temp.
- Make the dressing: in a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt & pepper. The whisk in the olive oil. Taste and add more salt & pepper if needed.
- Combine everything: to the large bowl with the pasta, add cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumber, shallot, parsley, basil (if using), and feta cheese. Pour in the dressing and toss to coat. Taste and season with more salt & pepper if needed.
