I hesitate to even call this vegan Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe a recipe, because really it’s just some guidelines and a link to another recipe from a far superior chef (Hot For Food’s Lauren Toyota). However, I’m so addicted to this combination of magical ingredients (I seriously ate this pasta salad for lunch and dinner yesterday, and breakfast again today) (update: ate it again for lunch today) that I wanted to share this super simple feast!
Now that the season of impromptu picnics and outdoor parties is upon us, it’s time to prepare your “go to” meals that will wow both vegans and non-vegans alike! Trust me, as much as I love a good massaged kale salad (I truly do), no one wants to see that at a party. Instead, people are looking for familiar comfort foods, a category this vegan Mediterranean pasta salad with tofu feta absolutely falls into. After all, what’s better on a hot summer day (why is Denver so ridiculously hot already??) than a refreshing pasta salad with none of that dairy to weigh you down?
Before I go any further, I should probably disclose the fact that I basically whipped up this creation solely because I needed more reasons to make and use the delicious tofu feta from the Hot For Food “Vegan Comfort Classics” Cookbook! I highly recommend grabbing that book (read my rave review here), but fortunately Chef Lauren Toyota also has quite a few recipes online- including the original version of the vegan feta. The unique, stand-out flavor of this tofu feta is so delicious, I promise even the anti-tofu crowd will appreciate it! Seriously, ask my brother and husband, both of whom are vegan but not generally fans of anything tofu-based.
As with any “recipe” that I post, I fully encourage you to experiment and mix it up. I’m not a professional, so I kind of just make things up as I go along and hope to remember to write down the measurements. Feel free to add extra olives, omit the onions, add garlic, or do whatever you think would make this vegan Mediterranean pasta salad perfect for you!
Vegan Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Tofu Feta & Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette:
Ingredients:
For the Pasta Salad:
16 oz dry pasta (I’ve used both farfalle and ziti noodles)
1 1/2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered depending on their size
1 1/2 cups diced or sliced cucumbers (I used a regular old organic cucumber, but English cucumbers work too!)
1 cup sliced Kalamata olives
1 medium red onion, sliced or diced (alternatively, use 2-3 shallots if you prefer a milder flavor)
2 batches of Hot For Food’s Tofu Feta (ingredients include: 2 blocks of extra firm tofu, rice vinegar or white wine vinegar, lemon juice, unsweetened almond milk, dried basil, garlic powder, and sea salt. Click here for measurements and instructions)
Salt & Pepper to taste
Optional add-ins: Sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoncinis, fresh basil, and/or parsley.
For the Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette:
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons dried oregano or 2 tablespoons fresh oregano
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 teaspoons agave nectar
3 minced garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Optional: 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
Directions:
Prepare the pasta al dente, according to instructions on the package. When cooked, drain and rinse quickly under cold water. If pasta is ready before everything else, stir in 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil to prevent sticking. Pour pasta into a large mixing bowl.
To make the zesty lemon vinaigrette, whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.
In the large mixing bowl, add cherry/grape tomatoes, cucumber, Kalamata olives, and red onion/shallots to the pasta. Drizzle in zesty lemon vinaigrette and toss until the pasta salad is evenly coated. Add tofu feta on top (be sure to drain the tofu feta well so the pasta doesn’t get too soggy). Mix again and enjoy!
PS: This Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Tofu Feta and Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette goes absolutely perfectly with a chilled glass of vegan Pinot Grigio! (learn more about vegan wines here)
If you decide to make the Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Tofu Feta and Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette, please let me know what you think! Feel free to leave comments and/or tag me on Instagram! And as always, if you have any additions or tweaks to the recipe that you recommend, I absolutely encourage you to comment below.
Thanks for visiting! Enjoy!
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