This Greek Pasta Salad is an easy recipe that is perfect to take to BBQs and cookouts. Save the left overs for lunch the next day, they are delicious!
This Greek Pasta Salad recipe is easy to pull together. It has so many great flavors that you will love. We are using my Greek Salad Dressing to pull them all together in the most perfect way!
You will love this simple yet delicious side dish.
We loved it! In fact, my husband is walking around talking about how good it is. Thanks again! Really it was a 10 star!
How to Make Greek Pasta Salad
This is just a brief overview to show you how easy this recipe for greek pasta salad is to make. For all the measurements, scroll to the bottom of the post for the full printable recipe.
- Cook the pasta. More on this below.
- Prep the vegetables. We are adding cucumber, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and a bell pepper to this recipe. Each will need to be chopped into bite sized pieces – a perfect task while you are waiting for the pasta to cook.
- Make the dressing. As mentioned above we are using my Greek Dressing recipe. It is great in so many different things, but I particularly love it in this.
- Combine everything. Toss all of the ingredients together. If you are making this ahead, you will want to keep the salad dressing off until just before serving.
Cooking Pasta for Pasta Salad
I know everyone knows how to cook pasta, right? But since it is the backbone of this recipe, I thought I would go over a couple of tips anyway.
- Make sure the water is at a roaring boil before you put in the noodles. You want to see BIG bubbles.
- Set a timer for the exact time listed on the box (or a little less).
- Add Kosher salt to the water.
- Test the noodles when the timer goes off and make sure they still have a slight bite to them.
- Drain the noodles and rinse in cold water to stop the cooking and prevent them from sticking.
Greek Pasta Salad Dressing
I used my recipe for greek salad dressing to top this amazing pasta salad, cutting the original recipe in half. The half batch is the perfect amount for this pasta salad.
That said, you might want to go ahead and make the original recipe (linked in the paragraph above). That way you can add more to taste or you can serve it on the side and your guests can add more as they like.
This Greek Dressing gives this recipe a lot of it’s flavor. It is tangy, has a nice subtle oregano taste, and a little zip from the mustard and lemon juice.
If you want to cut the time on this, you certainly could use bottled greek dressing.
Making Ahead
This Greek pasta salad is best within 24 hours of making it. If you are making it the night before, I leave off the dressing and add it right before serving. This will prevent the noodles from absorbing all of the dressing.
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to three or four days. You might want to add more dressing before serving leftovers. As with any recipe, please use your best discretion when it comes to leftovers.
Healthier Spin
If you are looking for the exact same flavors but with a healthier spin, make my Greek Quinoa Salad! You will love it!
FAQ
This is a matter of personal preference, but I prefer my pasta salads cold. If you follow the instructions in this recipe, you will end up with a cold pasta salad.
I would not freeze Greek pasta salad or any other pasta salad. It isn’t going to taste good enough after thawing to make it worthwhile.
Though this makes it less of a Greek salad, you could do cut up pieces of mozzarella or some shredded parmesan.
Yes, but wait to add the dressing until just before serving.
As written, this recipe is not gluten free. But, you could substitute gluten free noodles and then it will be. As with any recipe, be sure to check all the ingredients you are using if you are serving someone with a gluten allergy.
What to Serve With It
I think this pasta salad makes the perfect addition to any BBQ or picnic, but it would be a great side dish for dinner too. I would love it on the side of these dinner recipes:
Other Great Pasta Salads
If you make this Greek Pasta Salad, I would love if you would come back to leave a comment and let me know what you think!
Greek Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini noodles cooked according to package instructions onos
- 1 English cucumber partially peeled and cut into half moons
- 1 medium red onion diced (or a small whole red onion)
- 10.5 ounces cherry tomatoes sliced in half
- 1 red pepper diced
- 4 ounces feta cheese net weight (113 grams)
- 1/2 cup pitted and sliced kalamata olives
For Dressing
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon lemonjuice
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon dijon mustard
Instructions
- Cook your noodles according to package instructions, adding salt to the boiling water before adding the dry noodles. Once the noodles are finished, rinse them in cold water to stop the cooking process.
- While the water is coming to a boil and the noodles are cooking, chop the cucumber, red onions, cherry tomatoes, and red peppers.
- Whisk together the ingredients for the dressing. (Please note that you may want to make a full batch of my greek dressing if you like your pasta salad extra saucy or you wish to leave some on the side for your guests to add. Find the full version measurements here.)
- When the noodle are done and the vegetables are chopped, toss all of the ingredients together in a large bowl. Add the salad dressing and toss to combine.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate. Best within one day of making, can be eaten within three days of being made.
Notes
M Gray says
Can I use zucchini instead of cucumber
I haven’t tried that. I think it would work, but they aren’t really interchangeable. Zucchini is a lot less crisp than cucumber and they have very different flavors.
Carl Pirro says
Great salad Lisa, thanks.
PavlyDovely says
That looks so delicious. I love doing lighter dishes when the weather gets wamer, but haven’t been successful in finding good and varied salad recipes, which are not full of leafy veg. Thank you for sharing. I’m gonna have a look through your other suggestions :)
pauline morris says
WE LOVE THIS SALAD……….THANK YOU!!!
pauline morris says
I DIDN’T RATE YOUR SALAD, WE LOVED IT INFACT MY HUSBAND IS WALKING AROUND TALKING ABOUT HOW GOOD IT IS!!! THANKS AGAIN REALLY IT WAS A 10 STAR
Pauline, I’m so happy to hear this! And thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave both comments and the rating! It means a lot to me.
Sharon Dora says
Hi Lisa,
This looks amazing, should I double the dressing ingredients for a full recipe? Thank you!
So you can make the recipe exactly as is written in the recipe card. I was merely noting in the post that it is half the original Greek Dressing recipe that I have in a separate post. I’m sorry, I can see how that is confusing.
Lynda Marie McDuff says
I enjoy your postings. Thank you.
You are very welcome!
Dee says
We LOVE this salad and add fresh spinach too, it’s a delicious add!
Thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoy it, Dee!
Laurie says
I have never made a greek pasta salad. Normally make italian pasta salad. My husband said this is ever better! I know this will become a regular in my summer salad rotation
I’m so glad it was a hit!
Teresa Legler says
Having a family reunion this summer. Can’t wait to have this as one of our group meals. Thanks for your excellent recipes. This very family oriented. Will go great with barbecue.
I hope everyone loves it!