Pasta salad with handmade sausage

With Mediterranean flavors and a creamy yogurt dressing.

Ingredients

• 350 grams (fully cooked) handmade sausage (chicken or pork), sliced 
• 1 teaspoon ground thyme
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 kilogram dried pasta of your choice, cooked and cooled (penne, fusilli, elbow macaroni)
• 1 cup mixed olives, pitted and halved
• ⅓ cup finely chopped fresh parsley 
• ¼ red onion, finely chopped
• 100 grams crumbled feta
• about 350 grams cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup diced cucumbers (about 1 small cucumber)

For the dressing

• 1 cup yogurt
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large garlic clove, grated, plus more to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
• 1½ teaspoons dried dill
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Step-by-step instructions

1.  In a large bowl, combine the thyme, garlic, cumin, oregano, pepper, salt, and olive oil. Add the sausage and toss until fully coated.
2.  Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage in a single layer and cook until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Return the sausage to the large bowl.
3.  Meanwhile, make the dressing. In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, mayonnaise, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, dill, garlic, salt, and pepper.
4.  Add the cooked pasta, olives, parsley, red onion, feta, tomatoes, and cucumbers to the bowl with the sausage and toss. Drizzle the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until fully coated.
5.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Enjoy your meal!