This easy Greek pasta salad is such a simple side dish to make with tender pasta, fresh vegetables, fresh tomatoes, and loads of creamy feta cheese. It is a perfect summer pasta salad that is light and fresh. A perfect side dish to serve at summer cookouts with great flavor when you need a great salad recipe. You can never go wrong with an easy pasta salad recipe and this is a great recipe that is always a crowd-pleasing side dish and is one of our all-time favorites.
Recipe Ingredient Notes
To make our Greek pasta salad, you need the following ingredients:
- Pasta: we like to use bowtie pasta but you can use any small shaped pasta
- Cucumbers: English cucumbers that have been sliced and quartered work great especially since they are nice and crisp cucumbers
- Tomatoes: use either grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes that have been washed and cut in half
- Cheese: sticking to true Greek flavors, using crumbled feta cheese is the best
- Olives: we enjoy using kalamata olives that have been quartered
- Onion: we love the flavor and color of red onion add to this delicious Greek pasta salad and make sure they have been thinly sliced
- Dressing: use your favorite brand of Greek vinaigrette dressing or use a homemade dressing
Equipment Needed
For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:
How to Make Greek Pasta Salad
- Cook pasta according to package directions just until tender or al dente.
- Drain pasta and run cold water over it. Drain well and let cool while preparing the rest of the recipe.
- In a large bowl combine cooled pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta cheese, olives, and onion into a large bowl.
- Add Greek dressing and toss until well coated.
- Top with shredded parmesan cheese and serve cold.
Recipe Notes
- You can customize this recipe by the following additions: mini mozzarella balls, chickpeas, black olives, fresh herbs, and diced green bell pepper.
- Running the noodles under cold water stops the noodles from continuing to cook and keeps them at the right texture for pasta salad.
- Make sure to let this chill in the fridge as it is best served cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, a Greek dressing has more of a creamy, thicker consistency than an Italian dressing used in Italian pasta salad. It also tends to be a little bit sweeter than Italian dressing.
Which is better? It all comes down to what you are trying to make with it and your personal preference. One way to get the best dressing is by making your own dressing.
The Recipe Critic has a wonderful Greek salad dressing recipe that you can make with ingredients you have at home and have it done in no time!
According to Wikipedia outside of Greece, not all Greek salads are the same, rather an inspiration of Greek ingredients made into a salad, but with no lettuce.
Wikipedia goes a little more in-depth about what the popular Greek or horitatiki salads are and the ingredients that make one.
Make Ahead & Storage Instructions:
Fridge: This salad recipe will work wonderfully if you make it ahead of time and let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour to let the dressing marinate the other salad ingredients. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days for the best results.
Enjoy More Delicious Pasta Recipes
Want to add more veggies to your meals? Browse our comprehensive list of salad recipes.
- BBQ Macaroni Salad
- Cheesy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Classic Macaroni Salad
- Copycat Hug-Hes Chicken Pasta Salad
- Creamy Pasta Salad
- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces bow tie pasta
- 2 cucumbers, sliced and quartered
- 2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 (6 ounce) package crumbled feta cheese
- 6.3 ounce bottle Kalamata olives, (quartered)
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup Greek vinaigrette dressing, (I used Cardini's brand)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions just until tender. Drain pasta and run cold water over it. Drain well and and let cool while preparing the rest of the recipe.
- In a large bowl combine cooled pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta cheese, olives, and onion in a large bowl. Add Greek dressing and toss until well coated. Top with shredded parmesan cheese.
Notes
- You can customize this recipe by the following additions: mini mozzarella balls, chickpeas, black olives, fresh herbs, and diced green bell pepper.
- Running the noodles under cold water stops the noodles from continuing to cook and keeps them at the right texture for pasta salad.
- Make sure to let this chill in the fridge as it is best served cold.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
This recipe was so delicious – my kids loved it too!