Easy Tomato Basil Feta Pasta Salad Recipe

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Greek Pasta Salad is a refreshing summer salad that's packed with fresh vegetables, flavor and just perfect for a summer party.
A close up picture of greek pasta salad in a white bowl


Tomato basil feta pasta salad or Greek pasta salad has all of the fresh flavor of a  Greek salad with the addition of pasta. It’s filled with garden fresh ingredients, and feta cheese tossed in a homemade lemon garlic dressing. It’s so refreshing and delicious your guests will thank you. It’s refreshing and so easy to make.

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

Greek Pasta Salad in a bowl  with a spoon and fresh basil on top

This is one of our favorite summer salads! It’s perfect for serving at your next party or potluck or warm or at room temperature with a spinach salad for a delicious complete meal.

🤍Why you will love this recipe

  • It’s an easy pasta salad recipe perfect for making ahead of time.
  • Pasta salad is budget-friendly and nutritious!
  • It’s a versatile vegetarian recipe! It can be made vegan or with meat see the variations below.
all of the ingredoemts for the salad in white bowls: chopped herbs, feta cheese, onions, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers pasta and dressing

Here is what you will need

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

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🛒Ingredients

🥄Equipment

How to make tomato basil feta pasta salad

Prepare the ingredients: cook the pasta according to the package directions. While the pasta is cooking, chop the vegetables and mix up the dressing. Ingredients (lemon juice, garlic and olive oil).

an overhead view of Greek pasta salad ingredients in a bowl

Step 1. Place the ingredients into a bowl

Drain and rinse the pasta in cold water, and add it to a mixing bowl with feta cheese, onion, cucumbers, basil, olives, and tomatoes into a large mixing bowl.

Step 2. Add the dressing

Pour half to three-quarters of the dressing into the salad bowl and stir to combine.

An overhead view of lemon dressing pouring into pasta salad

A picture of the ingredients mixed together in a bowl

Step 2. Serve

Refrigerate and serve as a cold pasta salad. Or serve immediately at room temperature. Add more dressing if needed.

Ingredient notes & substitutions

The complete list of ingredients to make this recipe is above. Below are notes about some of the ingredients, along with ideas for substitutes.

Pasta. Any short or small pasta shapes such as shells, bow ties, penne pasta or fusilli pasta will work in this recipe. You can use whole wheat pasta, white or gluten-free pasta.

Tomatoes. You can use any ripe tomatoes to make this salad. I like to use smaller tomatoes such as cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or plum tomatoes, they are less juicy and easy to cut up.

Onion. As with most summer salads, red onions are my onion of choice in this recipe. They are crispy, add a little color, and we love their peppery flavor. If you prefer a milder onion, choose yellow, white or sweet onions. 

Kalamata olives. If you prefer milder-tasting olives, kalamata olives can be replaced with regular black olives.

An overhead view of pasta salad in a white bowl with basil on top

Make Ahead Instructions

To prepare a salad ahead of time, simply follow the recipe instructions and save half of the dressing to serve on the side. This can be done up to a day in advance.

To keep your salad fresh, store it in a covered bowl in the refrigerator. Just before serving, add the remaining dressing and enjoy!

How to store leftover pasta salad

Store leftover tomato basil feta pasta salad in the refrigerator for three to four days in an airtight container.

A close up of pasta salad with cucumbers and tomatoes in a bowl

Recipe variations

Vegan Greek Pasta Salad. Leave out the cheese. If you like a cheesy taste, sprinkle in  2 to 3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan cheese.

Spicy tomato basil feta pasta salad. Stir in up to a teaspoon to taste of red pepper flakes to the salad before serving

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

Change up the herbs. Replace or add to oregano, basil, fresh chopped mint, parsley, or dill.

Serve it warm. Rise the pasta in hot water, leave the cucumbers out, and toss the cheese, tomatoes, olives, herbs and dressing.

What to serve with basil tomato feta pasta salad

This pasta dish tastes great as a side dish with your favorite burgers, like this Greek turkey burger or grilled meats such as grilled chicken or shrimp.

It’s also a great main dish for busy weeknights. Serve it with a green salad like this spinach salad.

Tips

  • To reduce the strong taste of an onion, soak the chopped pieces in water for 20 minutes. Drain the water off and add the onions to the salad.h
  • For best results in preserving their shape, it is recommended to use a sharp knife when cutting the tomatoes.
  • Avoid a mushy pasta salad, and cook it until it’s al dente.
Can I make the dressing ahead of time?

You can prepare the salad dressing up to a week ahead of time and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to make the salad. Be sure to give it a good shake before adding it to the salad.

Can I make this pasta salad gluten-free?

You can use gluten-free pasta to make this pasta salad gluten-free.

Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?

Definately! If you are serving a larger group, you can easily double this recipe.

You might also like these recipes

Do you like this recipe?
Please comment and give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!

A close up picture of greek pasta salad in a white bowl

Greek Pasta Salad

Greek Pasta Salad is a refreshing summer salad that’s packed with fresh vegetables, flavor and just perfect for a summer party.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Click on serving size to scale this recipe

Course: Side Dish Recipes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Tomato basil feta pasta salad recipe
Servings: 4 -6
Calories: 360kcal
Author: Anne
Scale this Recipe 4 -6

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked pasta
  • 1 medium cucumber chopped about 1 cup
  • 1/2 to 3/4 pint of grape or cherry tomatoes chopped about 1 cup
  • 1/4 cup Bermuda onions chopped
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives chopped
  • 1/8 cup fresh basil chopped
  • 1/8 cup fresh oregano chopped
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese crumbles

DRESSING

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cloves crushed garlic
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  • Cook 1 1/2 cups uncooked pasta according to the directions on the pasta package, drain when pasta is al dente, after approximately 8 minutes.
  • While pasta is cooking, chop the veggies ( 1 medium cucumber chopped, 1/2 to 3/4 pint of grape or cherry tomatoes chopped, 1/4 cup Bermuda onions, 1/2 cup kalamata olives, 1/8 cup fresh basil, 1/8 cup fresh oregano)and place them into a bowl along with the 1/4 cup feta cheese crumbles.
  • In a small bowl or jar, mix the dressing ingredients together (2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice,2 cloves crushed garlic, 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil)
  • Once the pasta has been cooked and drained, add it to the bowl with the vegetables.
  • Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables.
  • Gently toss all ingredients together and serve cold or at room temperature.

Notes

Store leftover pasta salad in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Make it ahead of time and store for up to one day, reserve half of the dressing for serving.
See blog post for tips and variations.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5 cup | Calories: 360kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 392mg | Potassium: 570mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 949IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used

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