Greek Pasta Salad is a refreshing lunch, side dish, or light dinner. And leftovers taste even better the next day once those flavors have had time to meld.
Salads are great year-round, but I especially like to eat them during the summer when the temperature creeps well into the upper 90s. It is just way too hot to cook all the time, so making a giant bowl of pasta salad that will last for days is perfect. This Greek pasta salad is one of my all-time favorites. I love Greek food, and this salad transports me straight to the Greek islands.
Pasta salads are also great to take along to parties, picnics, or BBQs. Everyone loves them, and you will see your dish disappear before your very eyes. Hint: Put some aside at home so you know you’ll have leftovers for the next day. It always tastes better after a day or two.
Make Greek Pasta Salad a Protein-Packed Meal
I enjoy this salad as is for a light lunch or dinner. But if I want a more filling dinner and have not had much protein that day, I often add some to this Greek pasta salad. I use leftover or store-bought rotisserie chicken, sliced turkey from the deli, shrimp, or canned or leftover tuna or salmon to provide some extra protein – none of which will require any extra cooking!
Discover the Health Benefits of Greek Pasta Salad
There are many reasons why the Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest in the world. The abundant use of heart-healthy olive oil is one, with its powerful antioxidants. Olive oil is not the only provider of these vital antioxidants. They can also be found in red wine vinegar, which some studies show may help regulate blood sugar.
The vegetables in this Greek pasta salad are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other crucial nutrients. They aid in weight loss, lower cholesterol and promote hydration. In other words, pasta salad packs a powerful punch for your body’s overall well-being.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Pasta salad should always be made ahead of time to give the flavors a chance to meld. Although 1 hour is shown in the recipe, 2 to 4 hours is ideal. You can make this dish the day before and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Greek pasta salad will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator but I do not recommend freezing this salad.
Serving Suggestions
Greek pasta salad is a delicious meal on its own or perfect for any get-together. If you want to create a stunning table of food for a party, consider putting out a charcuterie board. Loading it up with sliced meats will allow your guests to add extra protein to their salad if desired. Check out How to Make a Charcuterie Board that Pops for helpful hints.
Avocado Deviled Eggs are another great side dish to accompany the Greek pasta salad. The avocado provides an unexpected flavor boost. If you want to wow your guests with something sweet and refreshing, try this Original Grape Salad Recipe. It is quick and easy to make and so delicious.
Greek Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 large English cucumber diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
- 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives sliced
- 3/4 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, diced green bell pepper, chopped red onion, sliced olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to create the Greek dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until everything is well coated.
- Gently fold in the chopped fresh parsley.
- Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or a light main course.
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