Easy Greek Pasta Salad

Easy Greek pasta salad with cucumbers and tomatoes has all of the flavors of a  Greek salad with addition of pasta. It’s refreshing and so easy to make.

Make up a batch of this tasty salad to serve at  your next party or take it to a  potluck. It is filled  garden fresh ingredients and tossed in a homemade lemon garlic dressing. It’s so refreshing and delicious, your guests will say thank you.  

This recipe was originally posted in May, 2018. It has been updated for content and photos.

Recipe Highlights

• An easy to make recipe that is perfect to make ahead of time.
• It’s made with less pasta and more vegetables.
• It's a versatile vegetarian recipe! It can be made vegan or with meat see the variations below.

Here is what you will need 

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This is an overview of the ingredients and steps to make this recipe, scroll down for a printable recipe card with exact measurements and instructions.

• Pasta
• Cucumbers
• Tomatoes
• Red Onions
• Kalamata Olives
• Fresh Basil & Oregano
• Feta Cheese Crumbles
• Lemon Juice
• Crushed Garlic
• Olive Oil

Estimated Time To Make This Recipe: 25 to 35 minutes

How to make it

This salad really can’t get any  easier to make, here’s how to make it:  cook the pasta according to the package directions. While the pasta is cooking, chop the vegetables and mix up the dressing. Place the vegetables, cheese and pasta in a bowl.  Add the dressing and stir it up. 

Please see the recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Make ahead and storage

This salad can be made up to a day ahead of time by following the recipe instructions saving ½ of the dressing on the side. Store the assembled salad in a glass container in the refrigerator. Ten minutes before your serve the salad, add the remainder of the dressing and enjoy!

INGREDIENT NOTES

The pasta

The best pasta to use in this recipe is really any kind of pasta. We prefer the smaller shells, but I have also made it with rotini, and penne. If you follow a gluten-free diet, any gluten free pasta will work too.

The Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes are bite-sized and just perfect for Greek pasta salad. If you don’t have small tomatoes, you can use larger fresh tomatoes that have been cut into bite sized pieces.

TIP! When choosing your tomatoes look for tomatoes that are firm and red for the best tasting tomatoes.

The Onions

Red onions are my onion of choice in this recipe as with most summer salads. They are cripsy, add a little bit of color and we love the peppery flavor of them. If you prefer a milder onion, choose yellow, white or sweet onions. 

TIP!  To reduce the strong taste of an nion, soak the chopped pieces in water for 20 minutes. Drain the water off and add the onions to the salad.

The Cheese

Feta cheese which is made with either cow, goat or sheep milk adds a salty, tangy flavor to this salad. Sheep and goat milk feta cheese is more mild than cow’s milk feta, and either one will work in this salad.  

The Olives

Kalamata olives are stronger in taste than regular black olives. If you prefer a milder tasting olive try using black olives or you can completely leave out the olives.

The Herbs

Fresh oregano and basil can be replaced with 2 teaspoons of dried oregano and basil.

Recipe Variations  and Tips

Make it Vegan 

For a vegan version of this salad, leave out the cheese. If you like a little bit of cheesy taste, sprinkle in  2 to 3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast.

Make it a meal

Add chopped grilled chicken breasts or tofu to the salad for a complete meal.

Change up the ingredients

Replace the feta cheese with little mozzarella balls or freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Add fresh chopped mint or dill to the oregano basil mixture.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Greek Pasta salad with your favorite burgers, like this Greek turkey burger or grilled chicken or shrimp

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