Looking for a quick and delicious meal? This Greek Pasta Salad, with its fresh veggies and zesty lemon vinaigrette, is your answer.
Feta, olives, tomatoes, and cucumbers are the highlights of this Greek Pasta Salad. If you love those Greek flavors, top this salad with Greek meatballs or whip up some Grilled Chicken Pitas.
Table of Contents
I Love Salad!
There is something so delicious about a fresh salad. Whether green or pasta, I love salad! I tend to order them when I go out and love to make them at home.
Salads are also perfect for taking to potlucks, BBQs, picnics, or large family gatherings. In fact, we eat some form of salad weekly for dinner. They make filling dinners or perfect lunches. I really just can’t get enough, and this Greek Pasta Salad is a must-make! It is filled with Greek flavors and pasta salad ingredients like feta, olives, and tomatoes, and covered in a light vinaigrette. If you love Greek flavors, you need to try this perfect pasta salad!
Why We Love Greek Pasta Salad
- This side dish is perfect for meal prepping and quick lunches.
- Greek Pasta Salad is a light yet satisfying meal.
- This salad is versatile and pairs well with various proteins like chicken or fish.
Recipe Ingredients
- Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet and juicy, adding a burst of freshness and a slight tanginess.
- Black Olives: Briny and rich, providing a salty and slightly bitter contrast.
- Feta Cheese: Creamy and tangy, offering a unique salty flavor, adding a rich texture.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- Add Some Spice: To spice things up a bit, add some diced red onion, marinated artichoke hearts, pepperoncini, or red pepper flakes to give it a little extra kick.
- Use Your Favorite Pasta: Feel free to make this Greek pasta salad with your favorite pasta. Bowtie pasta, rotini, or fusilli are good choices because you will want something that will allow the dressing to get into the nooks and crannies for the best taste.
- Cucumber Variation: Substitute the regular cucumber with Persian Cucumbers. They taste great and will save a little time since it has soft skin that you don’t need to peel.
How to Make Greek Pasta Salad
Step 1: Bring lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne and then return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 11 minutes. Rinse and drain the penne.
Step 2: Make the vinaigrette by combining the vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil together in a small bowl.
Step 3: Combine pasta, tomatoes, green and red peppers, cucumber, olives, and feta cheese in a large bowl. Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta, vegetables, and cheese, and mix together. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Expert Tips
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Cook the pasta al dente and rinse it with cold water immediately after draining. This stops the cooking process and keeps the pasta firm, perfect for the salad’s texture.
- Mason Jar Dressing: Make the vinaigrette in a mason jar and shake it vigorously. This not only ensures the ingredients are well mixed but also makes it easy to store and pour.
FAQs
Yes, you can add fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or dill to enhance the flavor. Simply chop the herbs finely and toss them into the salad along with the other ingredients.
Yes, making it a few hours ahead or the night before allows the flavors to meld together, enhancing the taste.
Storage Info
To STORE Greek Pasta Salad leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to 3-5 days. This salad is best served cold.
However, if you prefer it warm, gently heat it in a skillet over low heat for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Always stir well before serving to redistribute the dressing.
More Delicious Salad to Try
Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cup penne pasta
- 10 cherry tomatoes - halved
- 1 green bell pepper - chopped
- 1 red bell pepper - chopped
- 1/2 cucumber - sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic - crushed
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2/3 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Bring lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne and then return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 11 minutes. Rinse and drain the penne.
- Make the vinaigrette by combining the vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil together in a small bowl.
- Combine pasta, tomatoes, green and red peppers, cucumber, olives, and feta cheese in a large bowl. Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta, vegetables, and cheese, and mix together. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
All of my favorites in one salad! This is so delicous!
Love it when you can combine favorites – glad you loved it!
So fresh and flavorful! I’ve been eating it all week long for lunch.
Good enough to eat on repeat- I love it!
This was delicious! That vinaigrette was spot on.
SO light and refreshing, right? Thanks for trying it.