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This Jamie Oliver-inspired pasta salad is a fresh, Mediterranean-style dish perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or a light weekday lunch. With tender pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, creamy mozzarella (optional), and a flavorful garlic dressing, it’s refreshing, satisfying, and easy to make. Ready in under 25 minutes, it’s also make-ahead friendly and ideal for warm-weather meals.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

11 ounces mini shell pasta
3 cloves garlic
9 ounces yellow cherry tomatoes
9 ounces red cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup pitted black olives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
1 medium cucumber
4 tablespoons white wine vinegar
7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt, to taste
Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Directions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta and Garlic
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the mini shell pasta and garlic cloves. Simmer for 5 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. Drain, reserving the garlic, and transfer pasta to a bowl.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables
Chop yellow and red cherry tomatoes, black olives, cucumber, chives, and basil into small pieces (about half the size of the pasta). Add to the pasta bowl and mix gently.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Dressing
Peel the boiled garlic cloves and crush into a paste using a mortar and pestle. Mix with white wine vinegar and olive oil. Season with sea salt and black pepper.

Step 4: Dress and Serve
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate and let flavors meld for 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrients (Estimated for Entire Recipe)

Calories: 1200–1400 kcal
Protein: 20–25 g
Fat: 100–110 g
Carbohydrates: 100–110 g

The Mediterranean Influence

This recipe pulls inspiration from the sun-drenched flavors of the Mediterranean — think fragrant basil, briny olives, and juicy tomatoes. These ingredients aren’t just flavorful; they’re also deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of countries like Italy, Greece, and Spain. The inclusion of fresh herbs like basil and chives adds aromatic complexity, while the combination of red and yellow cherry tomatoes creates a visually appealing contrast and subtle differences in sweetness and acidity.

The use of extra virgin olive oil and white wine vinegar in the dressing is another nod to Mediterranean cuisine. Olive oil provides a velvety base rich in healthy fats and antioxidants, while vinegar cuts through the oiliness with brightness and tang. Together, they form the foundation for a dressing that enhances without overpowering the fresh vegetables and pasta.

Balanced Texture and Flavor

This salad isn’t just delicious — it’s also texturally interesting. The mini shell pasta provides a comforting chew that contrasts nicely with the crispness of cucumber and the juicy burst of tomatoes. The olives add a salty bite, while optional mozzarella pieces (if added) bring a creamy element that rounds everything out. It’s a dish that engages every part of your palate.

Garlic plays a critical role here. Rather than being used raw, the cloves are boiled with the pasta until tender and then crushed into a smooth paste. This cooking method mellows the sharpness of the garlic, lending a sweet, nutty undertone to the dressing that elevates the entire dish.

Quick to Make, Easy to Love

One of the best features of this recipe is its practicality. It requires no special equipment, complicated steps, or hard-to-find ingredients. Boil the pasta and garlic, chop the vegetables and herbs, make a simple dressing, and toss it all together. Done. It’s ideal for those days when you want something homemade and wholesome but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

Because it’s best served slightly chilled or at room temperature, it also travels well and is perfectly suited for lunchboxes, road trips, or outdoor events. And since the flavors deepen and meld as it sits, it’s even better when made ahead — a dream come true for busy households.

Make-Ahead Marvel for Gatherings

This salad shines on any buffet table. It’s vegetarian, customizable, and pairs beautifully with grilled meats, seafood, or even crusty bread for a complete meal. Add-ins like feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, or artichoke hearts can offer unique twists without requiring much effort. You could also replace the pasta with a gluten-free variety or swap out certain veggies depending on what’s in season.

Having a go-to make-ahead dish like this is invaluable, especially when entertaining. It can be prepared a few hours in advance and stored in the fridge, allowing the flavors to develop and giving you time to focus on other elements of your gathering.

A Healthy and Satisfying Option

Though pasta salads often get a bad rap in health circles, this version is refreshingly different. It’s rich in fiber from the veggies, contains heart-healthy fats from the olive oil, and provides a solid dose of protein if mozzarella is included. Even without the cheese, the combination of slow-digesting carbs, hydrating vegetables, and antioxidant-rich herbs makes for a nutritious meal that doesn’t compromise on taste.

The garlic used in the dressing has known anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, while the cucumber helps with hydration — an underrated benefit, especially in the warmer months. If you’re looking to reduce carbs, you can even reduce the pasta amount and bulk it up with more chopped veggies or greens like arugula or baby spinach.

Customizable for Every Palate

Another reason this salad is so universally appealing is how adaptable it is. Want to go dairy-free? Skip the mozzarella. Prefer tangier flavors? Add a splash of lemon juice or a few capers. Craving protein? Toss in grilled chicken or chickpeas. The core ingredients serve as a flavorful canvas for endless variations.

Even the pasta itself can be swapped depending on dietary needs or preferences. Whole wheat shells offer more fiber, while gluten-free options make this dish accessible for those with intolerances. You could even try orzo, rotini, or penne if you prefer a different texture.

Ideal for All Seasons

While this salad feels quintessentially summer — perfect for warm weather and al fresco dining — its ingredients are accessible year-round. Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh herbs are often available even in cooler months, and the dressing can be made in advance and stored for use in other salads or dishes.

Because of its year-round accessibility, this dish can be your go-to when you need something light yet filling, vibrant yet simple, and elegant yet unfussy. It’s especially useful for those transitional seasons when you want freshness without fully diving into winter fare.

Conclusion

This Jamie Oliver-inspired pasta salad is more than just a side dish — it’s a wholesome, satisfying meal that honors simplicity, seasonality, and flavor. With its vibrant vegetables, herbaceous notes, and bold garlic dressing, it proves that you don’t need elaborate techniques or exotic ingredients to create something truly delicious. Perfect for gatherings, meal prep, or a healthy lunch option, this salad is a testament to how thoughtful preparation and quality ingredients can turn even the humblest components into something memorable.

Whether you’re making it for a picnic, a party, or just a Tuesday night dinner, this pasta salad delivers freshness, flavor, and flexibility. It’s a dish you’ll come back to again and again — and one that your guests will ask for every time.