Greek Pasta Salad our go-to recipe for summer backyard BBQ or picnic potluck. Light, fresh and easy to make and healthy. With simple salad vinaigrette drizzled on it to lift up the flavors.
Why Greek Pasta Salad Recipe Works?
- Planning a BBQ backyard party, potluck, picnics what ever is on your mind, you’ll be glad you made this classic pasta salad is guaranteed crowd pleaser. Now that the weather has turned so hot, a good cold pasta salad would be terrific.
- Do you also believe pasta salad at cafes, deli, grocery stores are mediocre stuff?! Mushy pasta, veggies that literally swim in mayo loosing their crunch and a salad that’s under seasoned, and the big blunder – no seasoning at all!!
- If you love pasta salads you definitely want to make your own healthy salad at home. It not only gives you the freedom to pick the vegetables of your choice and seasoning, it also ensures the salad is healthy and fresh.
- Use vegetables that are your favorite that is not nasty to taste when raw. Season as per YOUR taste preference. As much freedom as we have to customize pasta salad recipe as per your preference, just don’t compromise on the feta cheese and red wine vinaigrette dressing.
- A good salad needs a good salad dressing and for Greek salads red wine vinegar dressing are the best suits! Not just easy to make, but they work like charm with the salad.
To your favorite pasta add feta cheese and olives along with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and onions add crunch. Packed with flavors, medley of crisp veggies, creamy feta cheese, al dente pasta, and an easy vinaigrette that works.
If you got a few minutes and all the ingredients handy, you are just a few minutes away from a salad that will make your belly happy. It’s one of the best summer meal – yes we eat it as a meal (side dish if I have to be corrected) be like this.
The fact that any pasta salad tastes even better after a day of refrigeration makes it a great meal prep dish too. Make ahead and stash in refrigerator.
Pasta takes in all the wonderful flavors from the seasoning. Just toss a little extra salt and olive oil before serving it straight from fridge to adjust the seasoning and add moisture to pasta.
Ingredients You’ll Need To Make This Salad?
A handful of simple readily available ingredients goes in making a great Greek pasta salad. Except for feta I would say. In my part of the world FETA cheese is not easily available in any and all store around you.
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Olives
- Cucumber
- Fusili bucati or rotini
- Feta cheese and salad dressing.
Red Wine Vinaigrette Dressing For Greek Pasta Salad
I prefer red wine vinaigrette dressing any day. A clove of garlic for flavor with fresh Oregano and basil during summer when the garden is full of lush green fresh herbs and vegetables.
If using dried herbs use about half the measure as fresh herbs, as dried herbs are more potent. And don’t worry about the tang in red wine vinegar, it get balanced with the FETA cheese.
A simple pasta salad dressing has
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Minced garlic
- Herbs
What Pasta Should I Use For Greek Pasta Salad Recipe?
Pastas small in shapes works best. Like penne, farfalle, fusilli, tortellini. We have used (because we love it) fusili bucati variety of pasta here.
Can I Meal Prep This Salad?
Yes you absolutely can. Cold pasta salads are best during summer and it tastes great for days. That is also the reason it makes a great meal prep dish.
You can serve this as side dish for grilled chicken. My favorite.
Or you can serve it as meal as it is. Chop grilled garlic lemon grilled chicken into pieces and mix it with this Greek Feta pasta salad if serving it for lunch.
We had this as a meal without even bothering much about the proteins. With feta and all the vegetables and olives the salad is filling enough.
There’s really no need for protein if you ask me. And trust it was so light, fresh and satisfying dinner. Simple, light dinner.
To pack it as meal prep – mix all the pasta salad ingredients and portion them out into meal prep boxes. Store the dressing into small containers separately and store them in fridge for 3-4 days. I would like to finish this pasta salad Greek within 4 days cause of the Feta.
How To Make Greek Pasta Salad?
- Cook pasta of your choice to al-dente.
- Chop vegetables while pasta cooks.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients together.
- Toss all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour the dressing. Mix. Serve for few hours before serving.
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Easy Greek Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz fusilli bucati pasta or rotini, farfalle, penne
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 English cucumber seeded and diced
- 1 red onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup FETA cheese (use good quality cheese) cut into cubes
- ½ cup Kalamata olives pitted and halved
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper or to taste
For red wine vinaigrette
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil use good quality oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon fresh oregano (or) 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
Cook pasta –
- fill a large pot with water seasoned with little salt and bring it to boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the penne, and return to the boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 9 ½ minutes (for bucati). Drain pasta and let it cool. (DO NOT OVER COOK PASTA)
Prep vegetables –
- while pasta cooks chop all vegetables.
- Whisk together the red wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano. Set aside.
- Combine pasta, onions, tomatoes, cucumber, olives and feta cheese in a large bowl. Pour vinaigrette over the pasta and mix together. Cover and chill for 3 hours before serving.
Video
Notes
- Pastas small in shapes works best. Like penne, farfalle, fusilli, tortellini or Orzo.
- Your pasta salad is only that delicious as your ingredients. Use fresh vegetables.
- Do not use pre-crumbled feta. Buy good quality block feta and crumble or cut it just when you want to use it.
- If storing for more than day, make sure to finish this pasta salad within 4 days. Feta cheese will begin to taste weird if the salad sits in fridge for longer.
Gloria
Totally LOVE Greek food….especially Greek Salad. Pasta salad is a must all summer long. This is a great variation, and would be a crowd pleaser at any BBQ party.
jyothirajesh
Thank you Gloria
Elena
I just recently posted a Greek-inspired orzo salad but yours looks more authentic for sure 🙂 It looks so delicious and full of flavor. Good job Jo!
jyothirajesh
Thank you so much Elena. I love bold bog flavors coming from my roots
Kitty
I was looking for a side dish to take to a picnic on Saturday. This recipe is perfect. Thanks!
jyothirajesh
Thank you Kitty.
Dominique | Perchance to Cook
I love everything about this salad! Pasta should totally be added to greek salad from now on. I’m thinking that this would be perfect to bring to a summer BBQ 🙂
jyothirajesh
Thank you
Julie
That is such a fun pasta shape! Pasta salad is such a quintessential part of summer – we usually make an Italian pasta salad, but I can’t wait to try this Greek version.
jyothirajesh
Thank you Julie
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
This salad looks like a wonderful option for a summer party!
jyothirajesh
Thank you Kathryn
Natalie
Pasta salads are my favorite during summer. They are nutritious and so filling. I love the flavor blend in this one. I’m making this very soon for my family, that’s for sure. Looks delicious.
jyothirajesh
Thank Natalie
Sara
I love pasta salads and greek food! This would make a great dinner on this too hot day, especially with some fresh tomatoes from the garden!
jyothirajesh
Thank you Sara
Stacey
This sounds so tasty, I think I have all of the ingredients too, so this is happening for dinner tonight!
Andrea
Pasta salads are a MUST during summer! I love this Greek-style version, it would be absolutely perfect for a picnic!
Eileen Kelly
I am a huge pasta salad fan. Your Greek Pasta salad has fantastic flavor and crunch. Perfect for summer side salad and great for winter meal too.,
jyothirajesh
Thank you Eileen Kelly
Nicole
Love pasta salad and I love greek salad. This is the best of both worlds for me. Thank you for sharing.
jyothirajesh
Thank you Nicole
Ramona
You can never go wrong with this beautiful salad. Perfect for any occasion including BBQ parties, potluck or a picnic, any time winner.
jyothirajesh
Thank you
GUNJAN C Dudani
Loved every bit of this post. Your Greek pasta salad looks very attractive and I am sooo craving for it. I am sure its a refreshing and satisfying salad on this sunny day.
jyothirajesh
It is totally refreshing and delicious!
Danielle
It is hard not to enjoy this pasta salad in summer – it is light, easy to make and looking absolutely delicious! Great dish to make.
jyothirajesh
thank you
Cheese Curd In Paradise
I love pasta salad in the summer time. Your dressing sounds so good and so refreshing! I love the combo of feta and olives with the pasta and dressing!
jyothirajesh
Thank you
Leslie
I LOVE a good pasta salad recipe! I love that you used feta cheese in this!, my FAV!!!
jyothirajesh
Glad you liked it. feta in pasta salad is must for me 🙂 Thank you Leslie.