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    Home » Recipes » Healthy Recipes » Easy Greek Pasta Salad

    Easy Greek Pasta Salad

    Published: May 12, 2021 · Modified: Jan 8, 2022 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    serving bowl with greek pasta salad with text overlay that reads Best Greek Pasta Salad

    This easy Greek Pasta Salad is brimming with flavors of the Mediterranean using rotini noodles, juicy tomatoes, feta cheese, and black olives coated in a zesty homemade Greek dressing!

    Fast, simple, and delicious salads are one of my favorite menu items to turn to when warmer weather arrives. Panzanella Salad, Southwest Quinoa Salad, and Southern Potato Salad are 3 other family favorites that fit the bill of easy, quick, and tasty!

    white bowl with greek pasta salad mixed with cherry tomatoes, olives and feta cheese with a tan napkin and gold serving spoon

    Table of contents

    • Mediterranean Pasta Salad
    • What is Greek Pasta Salad?
    • Why We Love this Pasta Salad Recipe
    • Ingredients/shopping list
    • How to Make This Easy Pasta Salad
    • Variations/ Substitutions
    • Tips
    • FAQ’s
      • Other Easy Summer Salad Recipes

    Mediterranean Pasta Salad

    One of the best things about this cold Greek pasta salad is how quickly it comes together and how light, yet hearty, it is. It’s a great healthy dinner idea on hot days when you just don’t feel like turning on the oven, and for added protein, you can toss in some leftover grilled chicken strips, or chickpeas to keep it vegetarian.

    Leftovers are sometimes even better as the flavors will have married even more by the next day, in which case you can have a quick and easy lunch! It’s light, fresh, and colorful and makes the perfect summer side dish for potlucks and Barbecues. If you like Greek salad or are a fan of any and all things pasta, this Greek pasta salad recipe will become your new favorite!

    What is Greek Pasta Salad?

    This easy pasta salad is essentially a bowl of Mediterranean-inspired taste, where the Greek flavors of a homemade tangy dressing get into the crevices of the pasta noodles and coat the juicy tomatoes, feta cheese, and sliced black olives. It’s a medley of beautiful ingredients that are perfect as is but can definitely be customized to your own tastes. Add more fresh vegetables, go lighter on the dressing, throw in a bit more feta, you name it.

    Sometimes a creamy pasta salad is great, but there’s something special about a light and refreshing about a pasta salad tossed in a homemade vinaigrette that keeps you coming back for more!

    Why We Love this Pasta Salad Recipe

    • Quick and easy and is a matter of combining, tossing, and enjoying!
    • Light and refreshing and is perfect as lunch or light dinner.
    • Beautiful colors make it pleasing to the eye.
    • Makes a great side dish for potlucks and BBQs.
    • Healthy and homemade which means it can be catered to any specific diet with a few simple swaps.
    • Flavorful and tangy with a whole lot of texture.
    • Simple homemade dressing means you can make more than enough to keep for later.
    • Make ahead and meal prep with ease.
    • Similar to my Italian pasta salad, another recipe we love.
    several ingredients in bowls for greek pasta salad - sliced olives, cherry tomatoes, uncooked rotini pasta, oregano, block of feta cheese, dijon mustard, olive oil and lemon juice

    Ingredients/shopping list

    For the Greek Salad Dressing

    • Balsamic vinegar – Adds tang but also a sweet hint. A very common ingredient in Mediterranean dressings.
    • Dijon mustard – A spicier and tangier version of regular yellow mustard. Made with black mustard seeds and gives a nice kick.
    • Dried Italian Seasoning – A combination of a few delicious herbs.
    • Lemon juice – Stick to fresh lemon, not the bottled stuff!

    For the pasta salad

    • Pasta – I used rotini, but bowtie or fusilli will also work. See below for other ideas.
    • Cherry tomatoes – Washed and halved.
    • Feta – Drained of the brine.
    • Olives – Sliced. Black olives from the jar work in a pinch, but you could also chop up kalamata olives if you prefer.
    • Salt & pepper – To taste.

    How to Make This Easy Pasta Salad

    This recipe will come together in as many minutes as it takes you to cook your pasta. Just combine, toss and serve!

    Step 1: Make the dressing by combining all the ingredients and set it aside.

    small white bowl with Greek dressing

    Step 2: Cook the pasta as per package directions. Drain and place into a large bowl.

    glass bowl with rotini pasta topped with sections of sliced cherry tomatoes, sliced olives and chunks of feta

    Step 3: Pour the dressing over the pasta.

    greek pasta salad mixed in a big glass bowl

    Step 4: Add remaining ingredients and gently toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

    You can enjoy immediately, or set in the fridge for a bit to chill before serving.

    Variations/ Substitutions

    1: Substitute red wine vinegar for balsamic vinegar.

    2: Add cooked or grilled chicken for a hearty, protein packed complete meal.

    3. Add a can of chickpeas for more protein but keep it vegetarian.

    4. Substitute any of your favorite pasta – fusilli, penne, or even orzo pastas would all be great!

    closeup of greek pasta salad mixed with cherry tomatoes, olives and feta cheese in a white serving bowl

    Tips

    • Cook the pasta al dente (slightly undercooked) so it’s not mushy.
    • Add sliced fresh cucumbers to give it extra crunch. I love English cucumber best for pasta salads.
    • Sliced red onion are great for crispy crunch and flavor.
    • Add fresh baby spinach or green bell pepper if you’d like other fresh crunchy veggies.
    • Top with a fresh herbs like dill or parsley if you’d like.
    • Use gluten-free pasta if needed.
    • For a low-carb version, skip the pasta altogether and revert back to a classic Greek salad.
    • Salt the pasta water as you cook it. You might find you need less salt added in the end.

    FAQ’s

    How to Store?

    Keep Greek pasta salad in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Enjoy leftovers and lunches for days!

    What kind of pasta to use for Pasta Salad?

    The pasta in this dish works as a vessel to hold all of that delicious Greek dressing, so you’ll want something with grooves if possible, but there are definitely lots of options, depending on your style. Rotini, fusilli, orecchiette, bowtie, orzo, to name a few.

    Can I make this dish ahead of time?

    Absolutely. It keeps in the fridge for a few days all the while having the flavors continuing to meld. You can assemble it completely ahead of time and serve the next day, or prepare individual ingredients (cook the pasta, slice the olives, mix the dressing) and toss together just before serving.

    Other Easy Summer Salad Recipes

    Orzo Pasta Salad

    Creamy Cucumber Salad

    Succotash Salad

    Roasted Beet Salad

    If you like this recipe, please leave us a comment and rate the recipe below. You can also find us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram!

    closeup of greek pasta salad with rotini pasta, feta cheese, olives and tomatoes

    Easy Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

    This easy Greek Pasta Salad is brimming with flavors of the Mediterranean using rotini noodles, juicy tomatoes, feta cheese, and black olives coated in a zesty homemade Greek dressing!
    5 from 1 vote
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    Course: Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 399kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    For the Greek Dressing

    • â…“ cup olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
    • Juice of one lemon

    For the Pasta Salad

    • 1 lb rotini pasta
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
    • 8 ounce package feta cheese crumbled
    • 5 ounce jar sliced olives drained
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    For the Dressing

    • Whisk all the ingredients together in a small bowl.

    For the Pasta Salad

    • Cook the pasta per the package directions and drain in a colander.
    • Place the cooked pasta in a large serving bowl.
    • Pour the Greek dressing over top of the pasta and toss to coat well.
    • Add the cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and drained olives and gently toss to combine.
    • Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
    • Serve chilled or at room temperature.
    • Garnish with fresh parsley, optional

    Notes

    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
    Add a sliced english cucumber if desired.
    Add half a cup of thinly sliced red onion
    Substitute red wine vinegar for balsamic vinegar if preferred.
    Add chicken or a can of chickpeas for added protein if desired.
    Use crumbled or a block of feta cheese cut into small chunks.
    Nutritional information does not include added chicken or chickpeas.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 399kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 620mg | Potassium: 201mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 284IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @ToSimplyInspire or tag #ToSimplyInspire!

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    Filed Under: Healthy Recipes, Pasta, Recipes, Salads, Side Dishes

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    Hi there! I’m Sherri I love creating a variety of easy recipes that anyone can make and enjoy! From healthy to comforting, I hope you find something that inspires you!.

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