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A close-up of a vibrant shrimp pasta salad with rotini pasta, tomatoes, feta cheese, and a pesto dressing on a brown plate.

Mediterranean Shrimp and Pasta Salad

This vibrant Mediterranean Shrimp and Pasta Salad is a refreshing and healthy meal, combining tender shrimp, al dente pasta, crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and a bright lemon-herb dressing. Perfect for a light lunch, dinner, or potluck!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta and Shrimp
  • 8 oz Orzo or Farfalle pasta cooked according to package directions
  • 1 lb Medium shrimp peeled, deveined, tails on or off
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil for shrimp
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp Paprika
  • 1/4 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/8 tsp Black pepper or to taste
For the Salad
  • 1 pint Cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 medium Cucumber diced
  • 1/2 cup Red onion finely diced
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives pitted, halved
  • 1/2 cup Red bell pepper diced
  • 4 oz Feta cheese crumbled
  • 1/4 cup Fresh parsley chopped
  • 2 tbsp Fresh dill chopped
For the Lemon-Herb Dressing
  • 1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp Fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp Red wine vinegar
  • 1 clove Garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper or to taste

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Air Fryer
  • Small Bowl

Method
 

Cook Pasta & Prepare Shrimp
  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool down. Set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
  3. Cook shrimp: If using an air fryer, preheat to 400°F (200°C). Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket (cook in batches if necessary). Air fry for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until shrimp are pink and cooked through. If using a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Let cooked shrimp cool slightly, then halve or chop into bite-sized pieces if desired.
Prepare Dressing & Vegetables
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper for the dressing until well combined.
  2. Chop all the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, finely dice the red onion, halve the Kalamata olives, and dice the red bell pepper. Chop the fresh parsley and dill.
Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked shrimp, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red onion, halved Kalamata olives, diced red bell pepper, crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh parsley, and chopped fresh dill.
  2. Pour the lemon-herb dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
  3. For best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the Mediterranean Shrimp and Pasta Salad for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld. Toss again before serving.

Notes

This salad is best served chilled. You can prepare the components (cook pasta, shrimp, chop veggies, make dressing) ahead of time and assemble just before serving, or assemble entirely and let it chill for a few hours. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.