This Greek Pasta Salad brings an array of fresh colorful veggies, creamy feta, and Kalamata olives, all tossed with tangy Greek dressing.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for Greek Pasta Salad
• 🔪 How to Make Greek Pasta Salad
• 💡 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Pasta Salad
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• Is Greek Salad a Thing in Greece?
• How Healthy is a Greek Salad for You?
• 🍽️ More Healthy Salad Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Classic Greek salad flavors
• Colorful, fresh, crisp veggies
• Creamy feta cheese and briny Kalamata olives
• Easy homemade Greek dressing
• Perfect for a potluck or BBQ
• Great make ahead side dish

This Greek pasta salad is bursting with wonderful textures and mouth-watering flavors. Tender al dente pasta is mixed with creamy feta, juicy tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Tangy olives and a zesty, garlicky dressing balance all flavors in perfect harmony!

An amazing highlight of this gorgeous Greek salad is that instead of using salad greens, pasta is used as a foundation. Unlike greens that wilt as they sit, the pasta holds up well for days in the fridge. This makes it the ideal choice for potlucks, summer BBQs, or holiday gatherings.

If you love these flavors, but are wanting to cut back on the carbs, try this Greek Salad, it's absolutely delicious! For other eye catching salads that are easy to make, check out this Italian Pasta Salad and this Burrata Caprese Salad.

🛒 Ingredients for Greek Pasta Salad

• Rotini pasta (or other pasta)
• English cucumber
• Tomatoes
• Bell pepper
• Feta cheese
• Kalamata olives
• Red onion
• Fresh parsley
• Dried oregano
• Olive oil
• White wine vinegar
• Fresh lemon juice
• Garlic
• Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Large pot
• Bullet blender or mixing bowl and whisk
• Large salad bowl

🔪 How to Make Greek Pasta Salad

To Make the Pasta Salad

Heat a large pot of water, and once it comes to a boil, add some salt and the pasta.

Cook according to the instructions on the package, until it’s al dente. Then rinse and drain. Pour the pasta into a large serving bowl.

While the pasta is cooking, you can prep all your veggies. Slice the tomatoes in half.  If you use grape tomatoes, because of their oval shape, I like to cut them lengthwise.  You can either dice or slice your red onions, I sliced mine into small slivers.

Chop the bell peppers, slice the kalamata olives in half (I also cut them lengthwise), and if you’re using a block of feta cheese, cut it into cubes.  Try to cut everything around the same small size, which makes it easier to eat.

Slice the English cucumber down the center, then slice both halves again and chop them into small pieces (quarters).  Add all the toppings, along with the fresh chopped parsley, over the pasta.

How to Make Greek Pasta Salad Dressing

Add all the dressing ingredients to the cup of a bullet blender. If you don’t have one, you can use a mini chopper, an immersion blender, or a small mixing bowl and a whisk. 

Blend for a few seconds until perfectly emulsified. I prefer using the bullet blender because it emulsifies the dressing in seconds and doesn’t separate after that.

If you just use a whisk and mixing bowl, just know that your dressing won't look as creamy as mine in the picture below.

Pour the dressing over the pasta salad.

Toss to combine, making sure everything is well coated. Sprinkle the remaining teaspoon of dried oregano over the top and allow it to chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour to allow the pasta to absorb all the dressing.

💡 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Pasta Salad

• Overcooking the pasta: One of the key mistakes is overcooking the pasta. The best way to avoid this is to test it before the time listed on the package directions.

• Not seasoning enough: Pasta, vegetables, and other ingredients will soak up the flavors of the dressing. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed to ensure the dressing is seasoned well.

• Account for absorption: The longer pasta sits, the more it will absorb the dressing. When making it in advance, you may want to have extra dressing on hand to add to the salad just before serving.

• Using the wrong pasta: Not all pasta shapes are suitable for pasta salad. Avoid using delicate or small shapes that can get lost with the other ingredients or become mushy. Pick sturdy shapes like fusilli, rotini, penne, or farfalle that hold up well.

• Not chilling: Serving a pasta salad at room temperature might not do justice to its flavors. Allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for a few hours, so the flavors have time to marinate and meld.

☑️ Storage Instructions

Pasta salads should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. They are best served within 2-3 days of preparation. While it's still safe to eat after a few days, the tomatoes and cucumbers will start to get mushy.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Grilled chicken or shrimp: Add some sliced grilled chicken or grilled shrimp for extra protein.

• Chickpeas: Toss in some cooked chickpeas for added protein, fiber and texture.

• Capers or artichoke hearts: Add marinated artichoke hearts or capers for even more Mediterranean flavor. Sun-Dried tomatoes: Chopped sun-dried tomatoes add a bit of chewy sweetness.

• Nuts: Sprinkle in some toasted pine nuts for a nice crunch. Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios are other great options

• Cheese: Swap out or add to the feta some shaved or grated parmesan cheese or goat cheese.

• Fresh herbs: Mix in fresh Greek thyme, fresh basil leaves or fresh dill or parsley for a pop of herby flavor.

• Dressing: You can use any of your favorite dressings. This homemade Italian dressing is a great choice.

If you want to more of a whole meal that includes a protein, try this Italian Pasta Salad or this Salami Pasta Salad.

Is Greek Salad a Thing in Greece?

Yes, it sure is. Greek salad, also known as "Horiatiki" in Greek, is indeed a traditional and popular dish in Greece. It sometimes includes pasta, but a lot of times it is just a mixture of veggies with a tangy dressing, much like this easy Greek Salad Recipe.

How Healthy is a Greek Salad for You?

If you are on a carb-restricted diet, you'll want to be mindful of the portion sizes of this pasta salad. But just look at the other nutrients in this dish:

• Vegetables: This salad includes cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, red onions, and parsley/mint. These vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, which are important for overall health.

• Olive Oil: The olive oil used in the dressing is a great source of monounsaturated fats (good fats).

• Feta cheese: Feta cheese offers protein and calcium, but it's also high in sodium and saturated fat. Using it in moderation can contribute to a balanced diet.

• Kalamata olives: Olives provide healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants.

• Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice in the dressing adds flavor and a dose of vitamin C.

🍽️ More Healthy Salad Recipes

• Grilled Shrimp Salad with Apricot Vinaigrette
• Keto "Big Mac" Cheeseburger Salad
• Zucchini Noodle "Pasta" Salad
• Easy Broccoli Salad with Bacon
• Classic Cobb Salad with Ranch