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Close-up of a fresh Shrimp Pasta Salad with rotini, cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta cheese on a white plate.

Mediterranean Shrimp and Pasta Salad

A vibrant and refreshing pasta salad featuring succulent air-fried shrimp, tender pasta, cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty lemon-herb dressing. Perfect for a light meal or potluck.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

For the Air-Fried Shrimp
  • 1 lb shrimp raw, peeled, deveined, tails on or off
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
For the Pasta Salad
  • 8 oz penne pasta or fusilli, rotini
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 English cucumber diced
  • 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives pitted and halved
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
For the Lemon-Herb Dressing
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Air Fryer
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside.
Prepare the Shrimp
  1. In a medium bowl, toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the 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 the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
Make the Dressing
  1. While the shrimp cooks, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper until well combined.
Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked shrimp, halved cherry tomatoes, diced English cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, halved Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh parsley.
  2. Pour the lemon-herb dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
  3. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. For best flavor, cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld.

Notes

This Mediterranean Shrimp and Pasta Salad can be made ahead of time. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The flavors tend to improve with time!