Greek Pasta Salad

Greek Pasta Salad is super easy and delicious! This summer BBQ side dish is packed with tender noodles, black olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta cheese.

If you can’t get enough Greek food, you have to try this Greek pasta salad recipe. It’s made with fresh vegetables, pasta, and crumbled feta cheese. But the best part is the easy Greek salad dressing! You can use this dressing as a marinade for chicken later in the week. 

The best part about this pasta salad is that you can customize it to taste just how you want it to. So, whether you add chicken and make it a complete meal, store it in a mason jar for lunch, or make it as a side dish for summer cookouts, this is the best Greek pasta salad you’ll ever make. 

Why You’ll Love Greek Pasta Salad

• Fresh, flavorful ingredients – The juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers taste amazing with the pasta. 
• Easy BBQ side dish – The cooled pasta and tangy dressing are the perfect thing to share at outdoor cookouts. 
• Ready in 20 minutes – I call it an Easy Greek pasta salad because it’s prepared quickly. 
• Leftovers are delicious – This delicious Greek pasta salad tastes even better the next day.
• Amazing homemade dressing – Make extra dressing and use it to make Greek chicken. 

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

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This easy pasta salad uses simple ingredients that are easy to find at the grocery store. Here’s more information about what you’ll need before you make this crowd-pleasing side dish. 

• Rotini Pasta – This pasta type serves as the pasta salad’s base.
• Feta Cheese – This is crumbled, and it has so much flavor. It is slightly tangy and adds the perfect flavor to the base.
• Cucumbers – Thinly sliced cucumbers add a delightful taste and texture to the pasta salad. 
• Cherry Tomatoes – They add a touch of sweetness to the salad. 
• Red Onion – They have a bold flavor and add an incredible aroma to the salad. 
• Pitted Kalamata Olives – This is what makes the salad Greek. 
• Green Onions – These are the perfect garnish at the very end. 

The Dressing: 

• Extra virgin olive oil – This will give the dressing a bit of a slip and make it easy to spread. 
• Garlic – Fresh garlic spices up the dressing. 
• Oregano – This is a sweeter herb that compliments the garlic. 
• Pepper – This spice adds deeper flavors to the salad ingredients. 
• Apple cider vinegar –  Adds a bit of acid to the salad, which will help kick up all the delicious flavors.
• Lemon juice – This gives the dressing a sweet and tangy flavor. 

How to Make Greek Pasta Salad

Making this pasta salad is incredibly easy and quick to make. Within just 3 steps, you will have a delicious side meal and not a lot of dishes to do afterwards. 

• Step One: First, cook the rotini pasta according to the directions on the package. 
• Step Two: Combine the cooked pasta, feta cheese, cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, olives and green onions into a large bowl. 

• Step Three: In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the salad and then toss gently until it is well coated. 

Equipment Needed

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• This bowl is my favorite salad bowl. It is large enough so when tossing the salad, nothing will spill out over the bowl.
• This whisk is my favorite one for mixing together the dressing and it is pretty easy to clean compared to other ones I have used.
• This garlic press is my favorite one because it is easy to clean and it doesn’t make your hands sticky like if you were cutting the garlic by hand. 

What to Serve with Greek Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is a great addition to BBQs during the hot summer months. Here are some recipes that will taste delicious with it. 

• Maple Dijon Grilled Chicken
• Grilled Zucchini Roll-Ups
• Mango Banana Marshmallow Salad 
• Dr. Pepper Baked Beans

Variations and Substitutions

• Sprinkle some fresh herbs into the pasta salad. Try it with fresh dill, parsley, or chopped fresh basil. 
• Add chopped artichoke hearts. This is another classic Greek vegetable. 
• Try a different vinegar. Instead of using apple cider vinegar, try balsamic or red wine vinegar for a different flavor variation.
• Add protein to the salad by mixing in grilled chicken strips. 
• Use different types of pasta. Try it with bowtie pasta or penne pasta. 

Storage Instructions 

Store any leftover Greek Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Greek Pasta Salad Tips and Tricks

• Make the tender pasta ahead of time by following the package directions and then storing the pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 
• An English cucumber will taste better than a regular cucumber. 
• Cook pasta for a little longer than you usually do. As it cools, it won’t be as tender. 
• Use fresh lemon juice instead of jarred. Cut a lemon in half, remove the seeds, and squeeze the juice into the dressing.  

Can I Make Ahead?

Yes, this is a great recipe to make ahead. If you keep it in the refrigerator, I suggest leaving the red onions. As they’re stored, their aroma becomes a bit overpowering. Store the pasta salad without the onions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. 

How To Make Raw Onions Less Strong

The best way to minimize the aroma of raw onions is to slice them and soak them in cold water. Soak the sliced onions for between 15-30 minutes. 

Pasta Salad Recipes

• Bacon Pea Pasta Salad
• Chili Pasta Salad
• Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
• Chicken Fajita Pasta Salad
• Pasta Salad Recipes for a Summer Picnic
• Tortellini Salad
• Macaroni Dill Salad
• Italian Pasta Salad
• Ramen Noodle Salad
• Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
• Caprese Pasta Salad
• BLT Pasta Salad
• Lemon Herb Orzo Salad
• Tuna Pasta Salad

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