What pasta is best for Greek pasta salad?

Short pasta shapes like rotini, penne, farfalle (bowties), or fusilli work best for Greek pasta salad. Their ridges and shapes hold the dressing and ingredients well.

What is Greek salad dressing made of?

Authentic Greek salad dressing typically consists of olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, dried oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper.

What are the traditional Greek salad ingredients?

Traditional Greek salad (Horiatiki) includes tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, green bell pepper, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, olive oil, and oregano. While not always included, some variations may also use capers.

How long does Greek pasta salad last?

Greek pasta salad typically lasts for 3-5 days in the refrigerator when stored properly in an airtight container. However, the pasta may absorb the dressing over time, so it's best enjoyed within the first 2 days for optimal texture.

Can I make Greek pasta salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can make Greek pasta salad ahead of time. In fact, it often tastes better after the flavors have had time to meld together in the refrigerator. However, you may want to add any leafy greens like spinach or romaine just before serving to prevent them from wilting.

What protein goes well with Greek pasta salad?

Grilled chicken, shrimp, chickpeas, or white beans are excellent protein additions to Greek pasta salad. They complement the Mediterranean flavors beautifully.

Greek Pasta Salad: The Ultimate Crowd-Pleasing Summer Recipe 2026

Name: Greek Pasta Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: PT-493462H41M37S
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 pound short pasta (rotini, fusilli, or penne); 1 English cucumber, diced; 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved; 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved; 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled; 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1/3 cup red wine vinegar; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Greek Pasta Salad

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A vibrant and crisp Mediterranean pasta salad, perfect for potlucks and weeknight dinners. The key is draining vegetables to prevent sogginess, ensuring every bite is packed with fresh flavor. It’s a complete, satisfying meal that comes together quickly.

Author: Harmony
Prep Time: 20min
Cook Time: 10min
Total Time: 30min plus chilling
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: lunch
Method: boiling
Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound short pasta (rotini, fusilli, or penne)
1 English cucumber, diced
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly with cool water.
Place diced cucumber in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Rinse and pat dry. Halve tomatoes, slice onion, and dice bell pepper.
In a jar or bowl, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Shake or whisk until emulsified.
In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, prepared vegetables, olives, most of the feta, and most of the parsley. Pour about three-quarters of the dressing over and toss to coat.
Taste and add more dressing, salt, or pepper as needed. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes. Before serving, top with remaining feta and parsley.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. To prevent a watery salad, the step of salting and drying the cucumber is crucial. The salad tastes even better the next day as flavors meld. Do not freeze.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 6
Calories: 420
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 450
Fat: 25
Saturated Fat: 6
Unsaturated Fat: 17
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 38
Fiber: 3
Protein: 10
Cholesterol: 25

Find it online: https://www.homestyletable.com/greek-pasta-salad-2/