Greek Pasta Salad is a Summer staple at every BBQ, party or get together, packed full of cucumbers, feta cheese, onions and more! This Salad is one of those recipes that feels effortless but always gets a wow reaction. It is fresh colorful and loaded with classic Mediterranean flavors like tender pasta juicy tomatoes crisp cucumbers briny olives and creamy feta all tossed in a tangy dressing that brings everything together perfectly. This is the kind of dish that works for backyard barbecues summer potlucks easy lunches or as a side next to grilled meats. I love that it actually tastes even better after it sits for a bit which makes it perfect for prepping ahead when life is busy but you still want something homemade and special on the table.
This pasta salad keeps well for any type of get together you have, picnics, potlucks, pool parties… you can make a HUGE batch just to bring to work each day for an easy to eat, no-cook lunch throughout the entire week!
FAQ
Can I make Greek Pasta Salad ahead of time?
Yes and it is even better that way. You can make it several hours or a full day ahead of time. Letting it sit gives the flavors time to blend and the pasta absorbs just enough dressing without becoming soggy.
What type of pasta works best for this recipe?
Short sturdy pastas like rotini fusilli or farfalle work best because they hold onto the dressing and small bits of feta and vegetables. Long noodles do not mix as well for pasta salads.
How do I keep the pasta from soaking up all the dressing?
Make sure the pasta is completely cooled before mixing everything together. You can also reserve a little extra dressing and toss it in right before serving to freshen everything up.
Can I add protein to make this a full meal?
Absolutely. Grilled chicken shrimp steak or even chickpeas are great options. This salad is very flexible and pairs well with a variety of proteins.
Is this recipe good for summer cookouts?
Yes it is perfect for summer. It is served cold holds up well at room temperature and pairs beautifully with grilled foods like ribs chicken or burgers.
Can I make this dairy free?
Yes. Simply leave out the feta or replace it with a dairy free alternative. The salad is still full of flavor thanks to the vegetables olives and dressing.
How long does Greek Pasta Salad last in the fridge?
When stored in an airtight container it will stay fresh for about three to four days. Give it a good stir before serving since the dressing can settle.
Can I customize the vegetables?
Definitely. Bell peppers artichoke hearts sun dried tomatoes and red onion all work well. This recipe is very forgiving and easy to adapt.
Filled full of fresh ingredients that create the most sensational pasta salad you will every bite into!
There are so many pasta salad variations out there, but this one is easily made from things already in your pantry! Plus, there’s no mayonnaise to worry about in this type of salad, getting all gross sitting out at a picnic or potluck either!
One of the most important steps in making a cold pasta salad is remember to shock the pasta.
If you do not allow the pasta to cool completely (even refrigerating it to get it nice and cold) it will become gummy and soak up all the dressing if you try to mix it while still warm!
Greek pasta salad is an essential summer side dish for dinner or any occasion , even lunch!
Pasta salad keeps well in the fridge for roughly about five days, so it can easily be made in advance!
Now that Summer is right around the corner, I know we will be going to so many family and friends bbq’s and parties – I always love to bring a couple different pasta salads along with me, this one is always one of them!
I always recommend making your pasta salads the day before or even just a few hours beforehand, because the longer it sits over that time, the better it tastes, the flavors have sufficient time to really meld together.
Make sure when cooking your pasta, that you do al dente, you dont want mushy pasta!
After refrigerating the salad overnight, the day I am serving, I add a bit more dressing right before serving. Also, you can interchange lots of ingredients: veggies, cubes of cheese, pepperoni slices or ham cubes or more!
I really love this recipe so much because its fast and easy. I always get a lot of comments on it a gatherings on how pretty it is and how it tastes great!
~Final Thoughts
This Greek Pasta Salad is one of those dependable recipes you can always count on. It is easy to make incredibly fresh and always a crowd pleaser whether you are serving it at a cookout packing it for lunches or bringing it to a gathering. I love how vibrant it looks on the table and how simple it is to pull together while still feeling thoughtful and homemade. If you are looking for a go to pasta salad that never disappoints this one truly earns its spot in your regular rotation.
Please remember to SHARE on Facebook and PIN IT!
FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST BY CLICKING HERE <——
Greek Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 oz. Rotini noodles
- 1 English cucumber sliced into half circles
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 small red onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup pitted black olives sliced
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Whisk all dressing ingredients in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package, drain, and cool.
- In a large bowl, toss cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, bell pepper and parsley.
- Add pasta and dressing and toss to coat evenly.
- Add feta cheese and toss again. Serve immediately or cooled.
- ENJOY!
Did you make this recipe?
Make sure to follow on Pinterest for more recipes!
Leave A Reply!