Italian Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Feta

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Italian Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Feta 🧀🍅

This Mediterranean-style pasta salad is bursting with flavor from sun-dried tomatoes, tangy feta, olives, and fresh arugula. A perfect dish for BBQs, picnics, or a light yet satisfying meal!

🛒 Ingredients:

🍝 500 g (1 lb) pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle work best)
🫒 1 jar black olives (pitted, without herbs)
🍅 1 jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil
🫒 4 tbsp oil from the sun-dried tomatoes
🥄 4 tbsp tomato paste
🧄 4 cloves garlic (minced or pressed)
🧀 1 block feta cheese (about 200 g / 7 oz), crumbled
🧂 Salt & black pepper (to taste)
🌶 Cayenne pepper (to taste, for a slight kick)
🌿 1 bunch fresh arugula (rucola), roughly chopped
🥜 1 packet pine nuts (about 50 g / 1.75 oz), toasted

👩🏼‍🍳 Instructions:

1️⃣ Cook the Pasta:
• Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente.
• Drain and let cool slightly.

2️⃣ Prepare the Ingredients:
• Drain the sun-dried tomatoes, reserving 4 tbsp of the oil.
• Chop the tomatoes and olives (optional).
• Crumble the feta with your hands.

3️⃣ Mix the Salad:
• In a large bowl, toss the warm pasta with the sun-dried tomato oil, tomato paste, garlic, olives, tomatoes, and crumbled feta.
• Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste.

4️⃣ Final Touches & Serving:
• Just before serving, fold in the arugula and toasted pine nuts.
• Let the salad sit for at least 1 hour (or overnight for the best flavor).

💡 Tips:

✔ Make Ahead: This salad tastes even better the next day after all the flavors have melded together.
✔ Protein Boost: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for a heartier meal.
✔ Extra Creamy: Stir in a spoonful of Greek yogurt or a splash of balsamic glaze for added creaminess.