Description
This Dirty Martini Pasta Salad is a refreshing, tangy, and savory dish inspired by the flavors of a classic dirty martini. It features perfectly cooked pasta tossed with green olives, feta cheese, and a zesty dressing made from olive oil, olive brine, garlic, and lemon. Ideal for a light lunch or a flavorful side dish, this pasta salad combines bold ingredients that meld beautifully after chilling.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad
- ½ pound pasta of choice
- 1 cup pitted large green olives, roughly chopped
- 100 g feta cheese, cubed or blue cheese crumbles
Dressing
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup olive brine
- 1 clove fresh minced garlic
- Zest of half a lemon
- Juice of ¼ lemon
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small jar, combine the extra virgin olive oil, olive brine, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and a generous amount of black pepper. Close the jar tightly and shake vigorously until well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked pasta, chopped green olives, and feta cheese cubes. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the salad and add more black pepper, lemon juice, or salt if needed. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Lightly salt the pasta water to prevent over-salting since the feta and olive brine are already salty.
- Green olives are traditional but other olive varieties can be used to suit your preference.
- Gluten-free pasta is a great option to accommodate dietary needs.
- Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes enhances the flavor melding.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving for the best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
