Greek Pasta Salad is loaded with vegetables and drizzled with an incredible homemade vinaigrette dressing that is bursting with flavor. The combination of pasta and fresh vegetables makes this dish a healthy and satisfying meal.
This pasta salad with feta cheese is a versatile dish that can be served as a side dish or a main course. It is perfect for picnics, potlucks, and summer gatherings. This recipe for Greek pasta salad is easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, making it a convenient and time-saving option for busy weeknights.
The Best Greek Pasta Salad
I adapted this recipe from a different salad recipe on our site that uses quinoa in place of pasta. I love both versions, but there is something about a good pasta salad that I just love in the summertime. This recipe for Greek Pasta Salad fits the bill!
One of the best things about Greek Pasta Salad is its versatility. It can be served as a side dish or as a main course, making it perfect for lunch or dinner. The salad is also great for summer barbecues, potlucks, and other social gatherings. This is a healthy, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables and is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
- It’s easy to make! We use a lot of great ingredients in this Greek pasta salad recipe to make it taste truly perfect. From the feta cheese, to the fresh cucumber and kalamata olives in every scoop, you’ll adore everything this dish has to offer.
- It’s deliciously vegetarian. With no meats added to this dish, it’s perfectly fine to serve up to vegetarian guests, but you can always go an extra step and add in some cooked chicken to turn this simple side dish into a filling meal.
- You can prep it in advance. While I don’t recommend mixing all of the ingredients together too far in advance, you can prepare the veggies and the dressing and keep them separate so that when it’s time to serve, all you have to do is mix it all together and scoop the easy greek pasta salad onto serving plates.
Feta Cheese Pasta Salad Ingredients
Salad Dressing
Red wine vinegar: The base of the dressing is ⅔ cup of red wine vinegar, which adds a lot of wonderful flavor.
Olive oil: Use ½ cup of olive oil to help spread the dressing ingredients around and coat the salad well.
Lemon juice: You will need 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to make the dressing fresh in taste.
Seasonings: For seasoning the dressing, use 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil.
Salt and pepper: Enhance the flavors in this dressing by adding 1 teaspoon each of ground black pepper and salt.
Sugar: You’ll need ½ teaspoon of sugar to help cut the acidic taste in the dressing to make it more palatable.
Pasta salad
Pasta: You will need 1 pound of cooked, drained, and cooled bowtie pasta noodles to assemble this salad. Note, any type of short pasta noodle can also be used.
Tomatoes: Add in 1 pint of halved cherry tomatoes for vibrant red color and a refreshing, tangy taste in every bite.
Cucumber: Use 1 chopped cucumber, peel it or leave it with the skins depending on your preference.
Onion: Give this salad amazing flavor by using ½ cup of thinly sliced red onion.
Olives: Kalamata olives are very popular in Greek and Mediterranean diets, add in ½ cup of pitted and halved olives (drained of all liquids).
Bell pepper: For more wonderful taste and color, use ½ cup of diced bell pepper. You can use red or green bell peppers for this dish, or a mixture of both.
Feta cheese: A full 4-ounce container of plain crumbled feta cheese will be perfect for this recipe.
How to Make Greek Pasta Salad
Dressing
In a dressing jar or regular mason jar, combine the red wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, all three seasonings, plus the salt and pepper, and the sugar. Proceed to put the lid on the jar and shake the ingredients to combine well.
Place the dressing in the refrigerator to chill until ready to use.
Pasta
Proceed to cook the pasta per the package instructions. Then rinse pasta with cold water, toss with a splash of olive oil and place it in a large bowl in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble the salad.
Veggies
Start with the cherry tomatoes, rinse them off and proceed to chop them in half. Then dice the cucumber into small chunks, you can either leave the skin on or remove it before chopping (whatever you prefer).
Next slice the onion into thin slivers. After that, cut the olives in half and remove the pits.
Lastly, prepare the bell peppers, dice them into small chunks as well.
Assemble
Grab the dressing and bowl of pasta from the fridge and transfer all the vegetables into the bowl.
Proceed to pour the dressing on top of all the ingredients and stir well until combined. Gently mix in the feta cheese crumbles as well.
Serve and enjoy!
Variations and Substitutions for Greek Pasta Salad
Alternative Pastas: One of the great things about pasta salad is that you can use different types of pasta to change up the dish. Instead of using traditional pasta, try using whole wheat, gluten-free, or chickpea pasta. These options add extra nutrients and fiber to the dish and are a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
Vegan options: You can add in extra vegetables such as roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, or zucchini to give the salad more depth of flavor. For a vegan option, use a plant-based feta cheese or omit the cheese altogether.
Make it a full meal: This dish can easily be a side dish or a full meal. Greek pasta salad can be made into a complete meal by adding a protein source such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu. These protein options can be marinated in Greek seasonings for added flavor. Cook the meat beforehand and add it when assembling the salad to ensure the dressing coats it well.
GREEK PASTA SALAD
Ingredients
Salad Dressing
- ⅔ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 TBSP lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp sugar
Pasta salad
- 1 lb bowtie pasta cooked, drained & cooled
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cucumber chopped
- ½ cup red onion sliced thin
- ½ cup kalamata olives drained, pitted & halved
- ½ cup bell pepper diced
- 4 oz container plain feta cheese crumbled
Instructions
- Dressing: In a dressing jar or regular mason jar, combine the red wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, all three seasonings, plus the salt and pepper, and the sugar. Proceed to put the lid on the jar and shake the ingredients to combine well. Place the dressing in the refrigerator to chill until ready to use.
- Pasta: Proceed to cook the pasta per the package instructions. Then rinse pasta with cold water, toss with a splash of olive oil and place it in a large bowl in the fridge until you're ready to put the salad together.
- Veggies: Start with the cherry tomatoes, chop them in half. Dice the cucumber into small chunks, you can either leave the skin on or remove it before chopping (whatever you prefer). Slice the onion into thin slivers. Cut the olives in half and remove the pits. Lastly, prepare the bell peppers, dice them into small chunks as well.
- Assemble: Grab the dressing and bowl of pasta from the fridge and transfer all the vegetables into the bowl. Proceed to pour the dressing on top of all the ingredients and then stir well until combined. Gently mix in the feta cheese crumbles as well. Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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How long is Greek pasta salad good for?
This pasta salad is good for up to 3 or 4 days if kept stored in an airtight container in the fridge. For best tasting results, we recommend eating it within 24 to 48 hours because the pasta can become soggy the longer it sits in the dressing.
Can I make Greek pasta salad in advance?
You can prepare the salad up to 2-4 hours before serving it, but it’s best when enjoyed fresh. If you wish to make it the day in advance, you’ll want to ensure the pasta is cooked Al dente and separated from the dressing in their airtight containers. Assemble just before serving.
Why does Greek salad taste so good?
We aren’t sure what it is, but we’re thankful for it. Our best guess is that this salad has the perfect balance of savory, sweet, tangy, and salty in every crispy soft bite for a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
Like this salad recipe? Here are a few others you’ll enjoy:
- Fiesta Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad
- FESTIVE CRANBERRY JELL-O
- Creamy Orange Fruit Salad
- SPINACH CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
- Chicken Pasta Salad with Grapes
- MANDARIN ORANGE SALAD
- Macaroni Salad with Eggs
- RED WHITE AND BLUE PASTA SALAD
- Pizza Pasta Salad
- EASY SUMMER CORN SALAD
- EASY MANGO FRUIT SALAD
- BLT PASTA SALAD
Greek Pasta Salad is refreshing, vibrant, and is so simple to put together, it makes the perfect side dish! Packed with fresh vegetables and drizzled with a homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing, it’s easy to make, and everyone enjoys it.
Dina says
I’m not clear if it’s 1lb of cooked pasta or 1 lb of uncooked pasta (16 oz package that is) to be cooked. In the ingredients cooked pasta is mentioned, in the intructions – we still need to cook pasta. If it’s 1lb of uncooked pasta, then it would yield to more of cooked weighwise
Jessica says
You use one 16-oz package of bowtie pasta. Cook it, then proceed with the recipe.
wendy elizabeth king says
So yummy! Will definitely be making again soon!