Name: Dirty Martini Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: ½ lb malfa corta pasta; ½ cup parsley, roughly chopped; 1 heaping cup castelvetrano olives, smashed; ¼ cup olive brine from the olives; ½ cup crumbled blue cheese; 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts; 1 medium lemon, zested; ½ lemon, juiced; ⅓ cup garlic expressions (garlic-infused olive oil or similar dressing); Pinch of flaky salt; Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 9 reviews

If you’re a pasta salad fan looking for something with a little extra punch, I have to share this fan-freaking-tastic Dirty Martini Pasta Salad Recipe with you. It’s tangy, briny, and downright irresistible—all the bold flavors you love in a dirty martini, but toss them with pasta and fresh herbs. Trust me, it’s a total crowd-pleaser that’s as eye-catching as it is delicious. Stick around—I’ll walk you through every step so you get it just right!

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Bold Flavors: The castelvetrano olives and their brine pump up a salty, briny vibe that’s tempered perfectly by lemon and parsley.
Texture Play: Creamy blue cheese and crunchy toasted pine nuts add layers of interest to every bite.
Quick and Easy: No complicated steps—just cook, toss, and enjoy, making this salad perfect for weeknights or potlucks.
Versatile and Fresh: The bright lemon zest and juice really brighten up the whole dish, keeping it fresh and lively.

Dirty Martini Pasta Salad, savory pasta salad with olives and herbs, easy pasta salad recipes, briny pasta salad ideas, crowd-pleasing pasta salad - A close-up view of a large white bowl filled with curly-edged pasta that is light yellow in color, mixed evenly with bright green sliced olives and sprinkled with small bits of light green herbs and crumbled white cheese. The pasta is separated nicely, showing the wavy edges and soft texture, while the green olives add contrast throughout. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, creating a clean and fresh look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Dirty Martini Pasta Salad Recipe works in harmony to bring out those classic cocktail flavors, but in a pasta salad form. When shopping, get the freshest lemon you can find and seek out good-quality castelvetrano olives—you’ll notice the difference right away.

Malfa corta pasta: This short, curly pasta holds dressing well, so every bite has flavor.
Parsley: A rough chop keeps it rustic and fresh, balancing salty elements elegantly.
Castelvetrano olives: These olives are buttery and mild compared to typical green ones, so smashing them releases juicy, flavorful bits.
Olive brine: Using the olive juice adds an extra kick of salty tang, replicating that dirty martini vibe.
Blue cheese: Crumbled for creamy bursts that contrast the brine’s sharpness.
Toasted pine nuts: Adds crunch and a nutty aroma that elevates the salad’s texture.
Lemon zest and juice: Brightens and freshens the salad, giving it a zing.
Garlic expressions: A punchy, savory element that binds the flavors together.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about the Dirty Martini Pasta Salad Recipe is how easy it is to tweak for your taste. I sometimes switch up the nuts or add a dash of crushed red pepper for a little heat. Don’t be shy—make it exactly how you love it!

Variation: I’ve swapped blue cheese for feta when I want a milder tang, and it still tastes fantastic—feel free to experiment.
Dietary tweak: If you’re nut-free, omit the pine nuts and try crunchy roasted chickpeas for texture.
Seasonal change: In summer, adding chopped cherry tomatoes gives a juicy freshness that pairs beautifully.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Dirty Martini Pasta Salad Recipe

Step 1: Cook pasta al dente and cool it thoroughly

Start by cooking your malfa corta pasta just until al dente (firm to the bite but not hard). I usually set my timer for 8-10 minutes depending on the package instructions. Once cooked, drain it and rinse under cool water until it’s cool to the touch. This stops the cooking and prevents mushiness later—that’s a trick I learned the hard way!

Step 2: Combine all ingredients in a big bowl

Once the pasta is chilled, toss it into a large bowl with the chopped parsley, smashed castelvetrano olives, olive brine, blue cheese crumbles, toasted pine nuts, lemon zest, lemon juice, and garlic expressions. You want everything to mingle well but still keep individual textures and flavors.

Step 3: Season and mix gently

Add a pinch of flaky salt and a few cranks of fresh cracked black pepper to taste. Then gently stir everything together so the flavors marry but don’t crush the delicate bits like the pine nuts or blue cheese.

Step 4: Taste and adjust before serving

I always give a little final taste to see if it needs more lemon juice or olive brine for brightness or punch. Adjusting seasoning at the end really helps make this salad sing on your plate.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Pasta Cooling: Don’t skip rinsing pasta with cold water—it stops the cooking instantly and keeps everything at a perfect texture.
Olive Crushing: Gently smash olives with the side of your knife—I like doing this on a wooden cutting board; it releases juices and flavor without turning them into mush.
Pine Nut Toasting: Toast pine nuts over medium heat in a dry skillet, shaking often to avoid burning. Their aroma will fill your kitchen and add a wonderful depth.
Season Gradually: Add salts and acids in small doses, tasting as you go so you don’t overpower the delicate balance.

How to Serve Dirty Martini Pasta Salad Recipe

Garnishes

I like to finish my Dirty Martini Pasta Salad with a few whole castelvetrano olives on top for eye appeal, plus an extra sprinkle of fresh parsley and a drizzle of good olive oil. Sometimes, a dash of smoked paprika adds a nice warmth and color.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or fish, making it a perfect light lunch or dinner. I also love serving it alongside crusty bread and a refreshing green salad for a complete meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve served this pasta salad layered in individual glass jars or clear bowls so the beautiful colors show through. It’s a great way to impress guests without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Dirty Martini Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the fridge. I find it holds up beautifully for up to 3 days—the flavors even deepen after sitting overnight!

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this salad since the texture of the pasta and the fresh ingredients can get a bit mushy and lose their bright flavors upon thawing.

Reheating

This salad is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so I usually just take it out of the fridge 15-20 minutes before serving to take the chill off.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta in the Dirty Martini Pasta Salad Recipe?

Absolutely! While malfa corta works great because it holds the dressing well, you can substitute with other short pastas like penne, fusilli, or farfalle depending on what you have on hand.
Is there a good substitute for blue cheese?

If you’re not a fan of blue cheese or want a milder option, feta or goat cheese works nicely without sacrificing creaminess or tang.
Can I make this salad vegan?

To make it vegan, swap out blue cheese for a plant-based alternative or skip it altogether, and make sure your garlic expression doesn’t contain dairy. Pine nuts and olives will keep it flavorful.
How long can I prepare the Dirty Martini Pasta Salad in advance?

You can make it a day ahead and store in the fridge—this recipe actually tastes better after the flavors have time to mingle. Just give it a gentle stir before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Dirty Martini Pasta Salad Recipe holds a special place on my table because it’s unexpected, refreshing, and always starts great conversations. It’s such a fun twist on a classic flavor combo, and once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again. Give it a shot—you might just find your new favorite pasta salad!