Savory Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Pan-Seared Halloumi

Ingredients

- 8 oz. pasta (your choice of shape)
- 8 oz. Halloumi cheese, sliced into 1/4-inch thick pieces
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup pitted olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 2 oz. salami, thinly sliced
- 2 oz. pepperoni, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon for frying
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz. of pasta and cook until al dente, following package instructions.
- Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

2. Prepare the Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, and a pinch of salt. Adjust seasonings to taste.

3. Pan-Fry the Halloumi:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced Halloumi cheese and pan-fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove from heat and set aside.

4. Assemble the Salad:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the cooked pasta, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 diced cucumber, 1/2 cup sliced olives, 1/4 cup torn basil leaves, 2 oz. sliced salami, and 2 oz. sliced pepperoni.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients.

5. Serve:
- Top the salad with the pan-seared Halloumi.
- Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for future enjoyment.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time: PT15M
15 minutes
- Cooking Time: PT15M
15 minutes

Total Time

- PT30M
30 minutes

Type of Dish

- Lunch

Keywords

- Mediterranean pasta
- Halloumi salad
- Pan-fried cheese
- Summer lunch
- Pasta salad recipe
- Easy lunch idea
- Savory dish
- Mediterranean cuisine
- Quick lunch
- Healthy pasta salad

Recipe Yield

- Feeds 4 adults

Calories

- 1650 total calories

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