Salads

August 29, 2024

Greek Pasta Salad Recipe (Easy Fresh Flavorful)

Get ready to fall in love with this easy Greek pasta salad! Bursting with fresh flavors, it’s the ultimate versatile salad—perfect side dish for any meal, a star at summer parties and summer cookouts, or even as a delicious meal-prep lunch. You can even make it a hearty main course by adding your favorite protein. No matter the occasion or season, this salad is guaranteed to impress!

Fun fact: I’m a huge pasta salad fan, and this recipe is one of my absolute favorite things! I’m so excited to share it with you because I know you’ll love it just as much as I do. What makes this pasta salad a go-to for me is its simplicity—it’s made with simple ingredients I almost always have on hand. It’s not only the perfect complement to any meal but also hearty enough to stand on its own as a full meal. Plus, every bite is an explosion of delicious, tangy flavor that you won’t be able to resist.

What Fresh Vegetables go into this Greek Pasta Salad?

  • Tender Pasta - I like to use the cute little bow ties also known as Farfalle
  • A Red Onion and Kalamata Olives Mixture - made with fresh lemon juice, olive oil and oregano
  • Cherry Tomatoes or Grape Tomatoes
  • English Cucumber
  • Zucchini
  • Red Bell Pepper

When it comes to the pasta salad dressing, my top tip is this: don’t hold back! While store-bought options are convenient when you're pressed for time, I highly recommend giving this quick homemade Greek dressing a try. In just 5 minutes, you’ll have a vibrant, healthy, and authentic dressing. Trust me, it’s worth the extra few minutes and will elevate your dish to the next level!

Dressing Ingredients:

  • Extra-Virgin Olive oil
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Lemon juice
  • Minced garlic
  • Fresh parsley
  • Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Creamy feta cheese

To make the greek salad dressing, you will need a small bowl. Combine all the ingredients in the bowl and whisk until smooth and well combined. It is that simple!

Now that we’ve discussed all of the fresh ingredients, let’s discuss how to make this Greek Pasta Salad Recipe.

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add your pasta and cook until you have perfectly al dente pasta noodles. Drain and let it cool. While the pasta is cooling, chop up your fresh veggies and whip up a flavorful, easy Greek vinaigrette.

Once everything is ready, toss the cooled pasta and fresh veggies together in a large bowl with your homemade dressing. Transfer to an airtight container and pop it in the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours. This salad stays fresh and delicious for up to 5-7 days, so you can enjoy it all week long!

Looking to elevate this salad or make some creative swaps? Here are a few variations:

  • For those who are dairy-free, try swapping in some vegan feta cheese—it’s a delicious alternative that still brings that tangy flavor!
  • If you need a gluten-free option, go ahead and use gluten-free pasta—just be mindful that the texture may differ slightly.
  • Want to mix up the pasta shape? Absolutely! Penne pasta, fusilli, or macaroni noodles are all fantastic choices.
  • And for the perfect protein pairing, this salad is incredibly versatile. Top it with chicken, lamb, or steak for a satisfying meal, or serve it alongside burgers and hot dogs for a great addition and winning combination!

This make-ahead meal is a true winner for any holiday gathering, guaranteed to delight everyone—even the kids! Picture this dish as a star at your Memorial Day BBQ, a hit on Labor Day, or a standout side at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. It’s also perfect for your Fourth of July celebration, adding a fresh and flavorful touch to your spread.

But the best part? It’s not just for special occasions. This versatile dish doubles as the ultimate meal prep solution, making your busy weekdays easier. Whether you need a quick, on-the-go lunch or a satisfying snack, this recipe has you covered. With its crowd-pleasing flavors and easy preparation, it’s a go-to for both holidays and everyday meals!

Did you make this? If so, make sure to tag and follow @prettyplatebymichelle on instagram and tiktok or leave a review below and let me know what you think! I would love to see your Pretty Plate and hear from you!

Greek Pasta Salad Recipe (Easy Fresh Flavorful)

Get ready to fall in love with this easy Greek pasta salad! Bursting with fresh flavors, it’s the ultimate versatile salad—perfect side dish for any meal, a star at summer parties and summer cookouts, or even as a delicious meal-prep lunch.

Prep:
20
min
cook:
10
min
total:
30
min
Author:

Michelle

Ingredients

For the Salad:

  • 4-5 cups bowtie pasta, cooked
  • ½ cup OR half of a red onion, minced
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives, cut in half
  • 1 TBSP olive oil for olive and red onion mixture
  • Fresh lemon juice from half a lemon for olive and red onion mixture
  • 1 TSP dried oregano for olive and red onion mixture
  • 1 Pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumbers, quartered
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup zucchini, quartered
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

For the Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 TBSP red wine vinegar
  • 1 TBSP lemon juice
  • 1/2 TBSP minced garlic
  • 1 TBSP fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 TSP salt
  • 1/4 TSP pepper
  • 1/2 TBSP feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
    1. Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Add the full 16 oz. box dried pasta to the pot and cook for about 11-15 minutes or until pasta is al dente. Once finished, drain, rinse under cold water. Transfer to a bowl and pour a little bit of olive oil over and mix so pasta doesn't stick together. Put it in the fridge to cool while you prep the other items.
    2. Prepare olive and red onion mixture: mince the red onion and place in a bowl, cut olives in half and place in the same bowl. Pour 1 TBSP of olive oil, lemon juice from half a lemon and 1 TSP dried oregano over the olives and red onion. Mix and set aside.
    3. Cut and measure out the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper and zucchini and place each in a separate bowl until you are ready to combine.
    4. Prepare the dressing. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and whisk.
    5. Remove pasta from the fridge. Place in a large bowl. Add olive and red onion mixture, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper and zucchini. Pour dressing over and mix.
    6. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over salad and mix again. Add as much or as little cheese as you would like.
    7. Best if served cold. Place in the fridge before serving if needed.
    8. ENJOY!
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Felix Meyer
August 29, 2024
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Cynthia
October 9, 2023
The ingredient list is missing lemon slices, shallot and garlic.
Michael
July 5, 2023
Can I do this in a slow cooker instead of the oven?
Kevin
October 19, 2021
So delicious!