Watermelon Basil Feta Salad is the perfect recipe to make during warmer months! It's filled with healthy, refreshing ingredients and comes together with the protein pasta.
JACKPOT! you just found your go-to healthy, summer pasta salad.
This Watermelon Basil Feta Salad is the perfect recipe to make during warmer months! You can bring to a summer BBQ, pot luck or a casual dinner at home.
As soon as the weather starts to get warmer, this is the most requested recipe in our household.
Pro Tip : Cut the watermelon into cubes ahead of time and store in the fridge before assembling the pasta salad. My family prefers when I do this rather than slicing right before combining the ingredients together.
Ingredient Notes
- Watermelon
- Feta Cheese
- Protein Pasta
- Fresh Basil
- Olive Oil
What's the best pasta to use in a pasta salad?
Any short pasta will work for this recipe. However, I look to add in a protein pasta to up the protein in the entire recipe.
My go-to is any chickpea past such as Whole Food's chickpea pasta, Banza or Barilla chickpea pastas.
However, you can use any pasta you want and it doesn't have to be protein based. It can be regular, gluten free or fresh pasta.
How to Make Watermelon Basil Feta Salad
- Boil water for the pasta and cook according to the package instructions
- Prep the other ingredients, such as the watermelon if not already cut into small cubes
- Cut the feta cheese into cubes if you aren't using feta cheese crumbles
- Chop the basil until you have about ½ cup
- Once the pasta is cooked al dente, draine and rinse with cold water
- Add the pasta to a large serving or mixing bowl. Add in the other ingredients.
- Drizzle olive oil on top and mix until fully combined.
- Top with a little bit of extra feta cheese and fresh basil for serving
- Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
I highly recommend using fresh as it is a stronger flavor and brings the dish together. However, if you have to use dried basil that is okay too!
I recommend using crumbles for easier prep and assembly. However, I have made this with a block of feta that I cut into cubes. It is just as delicious!
Nope! You can use any type or brand of pasta that you prefer. I just like to sneak in a little extra protein.
I like to test it so that I know if it's done to my liking. The pasta should be soft enough to eat but still have a slight bite to it!
Store any leftovers in an airtight/sealed container for up to 5 days.
Related Recipes that are PERFECT for warmer weather!
- Lemon Olive Oil Cake
- Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes
- Starbucks Lemon Loaf
- Blueberry Zucchini Muffins
- Gluten Free Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
If you try this recipe, please consider leaving a rating and comment at the end of this blog post. It is incredibly helpful to my small business and also to your fellow readers!
Watermelon Basil Feta Salad with Protein Pasta
Ingredients
- ½ watermelon cubed
- 12 ozq feta cheese crumbles or block
- ½ cup fresh basil chopped
- 1 box protein pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Boil water for the pasta and cook according to the package instructions
- Prep the other ingredients, such as the watermelon if not already cut into small cubes
- Cut the feta cheese into cubes if you aren't using feta cheese crumbles
- Chop the basil until you have about ½ cup
- Once the pasta is cooked al dente, draine and rinse with cold water
- Add the pasta to a large serving or mixing bowl. Add in the other ingredients.
- Drizzle olive oil on top and mix until fully combined.
- Top with a little bit of extra feta cheese and fresh basil for serving
- Enjoy!
This is the recipe I needed- tasty and healthy!
Perfect for this season with all the great watermelons around!
Feasty, you have pumped up this recipe with the protein pasta and it rocks! A+++++