Greek Pasta Salad, this pasta salad is a crowd pleaser. It makes a generous amount and tastes even better the second day, so make it ahead.
YAY, warmer weather is here! If you have a family picnic, gathering or bbq coming up this quick and easy to make Greek pasta salad is a must! Prepare it ahead of time, it tastes even better the day after you make it as that allows the flavors to deepen. It is full of garden fresh vegetables.
This is a great salad for a crowd. It has tons of flavor and goes wonderfully with grilled foods. Add this grilled chicken and make it a complete meal!
Loaded with veggies and twirly pasta for a flavor packed feast.
Feta cheese gives it a tangy zip.
Can it get any better than that?
Greek Pasta Salad
Fabulous Greek Pasta Salad
A delicious pasta salad with a greek flavored twist. Goes far so make for a crowd.
Author: Pamela @ FlowerPatchFarmhouse.com
Recipe type: Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- Dressing:
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup olive oil
- Pasta salad
- 1 pound tricolor Rotini (regular Rotini works too)
- ¾ medium English cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, cut into ¼-inch pieces (I also like to use the snacking cucumbers, no need to peel those or half)
- 1 dry pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- ½ large red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved (I cheat if I don’t have enough Kalamata I use black olives to supplement)
- 6 ounces feta, crumbled
- 3 cups firmly packed baby spinach
Instructions
- Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together garlic, oregano, mustard, vinegar, salt, pepper and olive oil until well combined.
- Make salad: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes, or as label directs. Drain, rinse under cold water and transfer to a bowl. Add remaining ingredients, toss with dressing and serve. (I like best when served the next day, the flavors really meld by then)
If you make this for a crowd, take a copy of the recipe with you.
You will be asked for it!
Have a fantastic weekend!
Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon says
This is a wonderful salad.
Julie Corbisiero says
Hi, I love salad and this recipe looks like a winner. I saw it on Share Your Cup of Mrs. Olson.
Julie from julieslifestyle.blogspot.com
Pamela says
What I especially love about this salad is it keeps well and taste better every day.
Jann Olson says
Yum, sounds delicious! I make one similar, but will be giving your recipe a try. So colorful too! Thanks for sharing with SYC. Hope you get to go visit your friends.
hugs,
Jann
Pamela says
It is a really good and popular one. A new go to favorite for me.
Allie says
Thank you for this recipe. I also have a similar recipe but I like to try variations, Sometimes a simple change can make all the difference. Bring on the feta!!!!
Pamela says
Yes, I love experimenting too, a simple added ingredient can make an old favorite a whole new dish!
Christine says
Can’t wait to try your recipe!
Pamela says
Let me know how you like it when you do.
Debbie says
I love pasta salad ! Don’t put onions in mine and sometimes add other veggies. Yummy!
Yours is very similar.
Pamela says
Pasta salad can go so many directions and taste wonderful. I don’t like strong onions but the red are usually mild enough they don’t overpower, just enhance. Though I have a cousin who has developed a severe allergy to onions and garlic so I make it without when I take it to gatherings he is at.
Jane says
This sounds amazing. The vinaigrette makes it a step above the rest! Thanks!
Jane
Pamela says
The vinaigrette is a super delish one. I need to try it on just a green salad soon, I am sure it will be just as yummy.
carole says
This sounds tasty I’ve been messing around with some chicken salads to make life easier using dijon mustard as well and the results have been great. Adding this great one to the menu later this week. Summer and Salad just work well together.
Pamela says
I agree, I seem to crave salad in summer time, and usually by summer I need to shed a few winter pounds from craving more carb loaded meals. Having a variety of easy, go to salad recipes makes it so much easier.
Liz Bender says
My entire family loved your Greek Salad and Crouton recipes …Yum! Thank you so much.
Pamela says
Thank you for letting me know, I am so glad you all enjoyed them.
rocky says
mine is very much the same ingredients. I prefer to use flat macaroni and some of the fresh basil that grows wild here. spinach is good, but I love arugala even better.
it has that peppery sweet taste. the greeks also add seafood, soooo delicious.
These people are so much fun, and food is always on their minds. have you been
to cook outs with them?
Pamela says
I don’t like any seafood so that would not work for me but it could easily be added to this. Arugula has a bit more of a bitterness that detracts for me but I am sure for those that like it, it would make an excellent addition.
rocky says
I find that those with a sweeter tooth typically do not care for arugala…
so sorry you are not into seafood. we love the shell most of all, and let me tell you chopped lobster is just fantastic. does your hub like this? with mine I find like most men, he does not go for the pasta salad. when I add something like this he is there
for it. greeks since surrounded by water on all those islands are fanatics for the seafood. love their methods of cooking except for beef or lamb or pork. these are not in my diet.