Thank you! This recipe is amazing!!! Cut everything into small, bite-sized pieces, so youll get a little bit of everything on your fork when you take a bite. Mix to combine. When you're ready to make the salad, cook pasta according to package instructions. Add pasta and cook until al dente. The flavor will mellow over time, so you might need to add an extra splash of vinegar, lemon juice, or salt, to help brighten up the flavor again before you serve it. I added fresh squeezed lemon juice to my leftovers. Instructions. (I sometimes add an extra 1/2 teaspoon.) Easy Greek Pasta Salad. Enjoy! You can absolutely enjoy it right after assembling, but if you have 8 to 12 hours to let it sit in the refrigerator youll definitely be happy you did. Toss to coat well and chill before serving. Keep some minty gum handy for afterwards! Chill the pasta in the refrigerator for at least 20-30 minutes. It was a huge hit! Great summer time meal! I love that this pasta salad has dill in it! Meanwhile, In a large bowl, combine the dressing ingredients. Season with salt and pepper and a sprinkle of dried thyme. Light and flavorful, this Greek pasta salad has the taste of the Mediterranean and that can be so refreshing on a warm summer night! Boil pasta according to package instructions to al dente. Alternatively, follow the instructions for our Microwave Pasta. Right before serving add some fresh chopped basil. Set a timer for the exact time listed on the box (or a little less). Now, its time to chop the veggies. Greek salad is low-calorie and nutrient-dense, also providing you with a healthy dose of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium and iron. Meanwhile, prepare your veggies, cheese, parsley, and homemade Greek dressing, (if using). Want to make it more awesome? We use baby spinach, but arugula or baby kale works too. Made this recipe for dinner tonight. Season generously to taste with salt and pepper. We can all benefit from your experience! Drain the pasta and run under cold water to cool down. The pasta adds a satisfying element, making this dish hearty enough to act as a meal, while also helping you eat a huge plate of vegetables. 2 Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Great summer salad , Huge hit! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Press for 20-30 minutes to remove excess water. Healthy Greek Pasta Salad with chicken has 343 calories, but more importantly it is balanced with 28 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber. Strain the noodles into a colander then immediately rinse well with cold water. This salad was so yummy! I love mixing up the colors so I used orange bell peppers but green or red are perfectly fine. Compared with other salads, Greek salad is relatively low in calories and carbs. A simple Greek vinaigrette pulls all of the ingredients together into a delicious and flavorful salad. Hubby definitely wants me to make this recipe again! Artichoke hearts would also be great in this salad! I used brown rice pasta and also added in some artichoke hearts. Flavorful Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce, One Skillet Greek Chicken with Lemon and Artichokes, Greek Grilled Chicken Wings with Feta Dip, Keywords: Greek Pasta Salad, pasta salad, Greek salad, Your email address will not be published. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 7 to 10 minutes. Place all the vegetables in a large salad bowl and add the pasta, the olives and feta cheese. Rinse the onion in cold water and drain well. Mix. 4.3 61. Strain and cool under cold running water. In a medium bowl, add the diced cucumber, sliced red onion, and vinaigrette and marinate at least 5 minutes or up to 30 minutes. Combine the salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss with dressing. I use chickpea pasta to keep this recipe gluten-free (and to sneak in some extra plant-based protein) but you can use any pasta you keep on hand. Drain pasta, then rise well under cold water. 2. Whisk together oil, vinegar, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic salt and lemon juice in a small bowl and set aside. For a vegan recipe, try adding in a spoonful of hummus instead! Top pasta with cucumbers, red bell pepper, tomatoes, red onion, and kalamata olives. Keep in mind that the flavor will mellow as it chills, so you may need to adjust the seasoning when you serve it cold. Boil the pasta - cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, 1 minute less than the package instructions. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. A perfect lunch. I love love love the dressing! Rinse under cold water. Thoughts? Since this simple cucumber salad doesnt have a creamy dressing or leafy greens, Generally speaking, the healthiest salad dressing will be a, Healthy Greek Pasta Salad (Gluten-Free). Drain in a colander. This recipe was delish! Stir well to combine. I made it for my family and when I had a girlfriend over for lunch and then once more just for me. Whisk dressing ingredients together then pour over top. Wash thoroughly and strain the vegetables. If you need to make a bigger batch, just double the recipe! How to Make Greek Pasta Salad Cook pasta in heavily salted water according to package directions. I left out the feta to keep it dairy free- was still delicious. I love the dressing too. First of all pasta is delicious in its own right but when you add crisp veggies, a flavorful vinaigrette, and creamy cheese you take things to a whole new level. Ive kept things easy here by only calling for one, but feel free to refer to my popular Greek Salad Dressing recipe if you want to use a mix of both! A traditional Greek salad dressing is really a Greek vinaigrette as it contains olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic cloves, dried oregano (the key ingredient) and salt and pepper. Greek Pasta Salad Amount Per Serving Calories 282 Calories from Fat 135 % Daily Value* Fat 15g 23% Saturated Fat 3g 19% Cholesterol 12mg 4% Sodium 928mg 40% Potassium 236mg 7% Carbohydrates 30g 10% Fiber 2g 8% Sugar 5g 6% Protein 7g 14% Vitamin A 675IU 14% Vitamin C 11.1mg 13% Calcium 113mg 11% Iron 1.7mg 9% Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Put a large pot of water on to boil. A big bowl of fresh pasta salad screams spring and summer to me, anyone else? Pour the dressing over the salad and stir until well combined. Next, drain the cooked pasta, add it to a large bowl and allow it to cool. Serve. Definitely want to try adding artichoke hearts next time! Drain and rinse with cool water, then set aside to cool completely. Once pressed, crumble the tofu into feta cheese-sized chunks into a bowl or container and add the rest of the tofu feta ingredients. Drain through a fine-mesh sieve and rinse with cold water. Combine pasta, tomatoes, green and red peppers, onion, cucumber, olives, and feta cheese in a large bowl. Cook the pasta al dente so that it still has a bit of bite. Set aside. Yes! 1 clove of garlic. Drain and rinse with a quick spray of cold water. While pasta is cooking chop vegetables and place in a large bowl along with feta cheese. Ive tried other Greek salad dressing recipes and they somehow just didnt taste quite right. Cucumber, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Feta Cheese, Greek, Greek Pasta, Kalamata Olives, Pasta, Salad, Side Dish, Vegetables, Vegetarian. It also contains a moderate amount of heart-healthy fats from ingredients like olives, feta cheese, and olive oil ( 4 ). Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. HEALTHY GREEK PASTA SALAD: Cook 8 ounces of vegetable rotini pasta or pasta of choice according to directions (mine required 9 minutes) Drain pasta and rinse in cold water until room temperature Remove stems from the kale, and chop into bite-sized pieces Place kale in a large salad bowl Absolutely delicious! This healthy Greek Pasta Salad is the perfect make-ahead pasta salad for summertime picnics, BBQs, potlucks, and easy dinners. It is super quick and delicious! (12 ounces of farfalle pasta, 14 ounces of quartered artichoke hearts, 1 cups of cherry tomatoes, a cup of kalamata olives, cup of red onion, 12 ounces Greek salad dressing, salt & pepper to taste, and 4 ounces of feta cheese). Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 15 mins Refrigerate 2 hrs Total Time 2 hrs 25 mins Course Main Dish, Side Dish Cuisine American, Greek Servings 8 servings Calories 463 kcal Ingredients 1 lb whole wheat pasta How to Make Greek Pasta Salad Prepare pasta. In a separate bowl, whisk all dressing ingredients together. Give it all a gentle toss, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. I made this for 4th of July and brought leftovers to work the next day- Absolutely Everyone loved it. cup diced red onion -inch dice cup kalamata olives sliced cup crumbled Feta cheese Dressing Ingredients cup red wine vinegar 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons honey 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon kosher salt teaspoon black pepper cup extra virgin olive oil Instructions A former fast food junkie turned certified nutritionist consultant, trying to make healthy living as easy as possible. It's very flexible. This is automatically calculated, and is just an estimate, not a guarantee. Pour dressing over pasta and give it a gentle toss to combine. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to marinate together. I really dont care for olives or cucumbers either, but in this dish I scarfed them right down. Cook pasta according to package instructions, to al dente. In a large bowl, add pasta, feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, and onions. My new favorite pasta salad!! . Ill be making this on a regular basis. Add tuna, celery, onion, and peas to bowl with noodles. (, Frappe Friday is here! Its unsaturated fat that can help lower cholesterol. Cook the pasta one minute less than its package instructions. Add pasta, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, olives, feta cheese and parsley to the pasta bowl. In a screw-top jar combine the olive oil, lemon juice, basil, the 2 tablespoons oregano, anchovy paste (if using), garlic, salt, and pepper. HOW TO MAKE A HEALTHY GREEK PASTA SALAD Prepare Pasta & Veggies Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Tomatoes:Grape or cherry tomatoes work the best for this recipe. Drain, rinse with cold water, and let cool. Most of these recipes are quick and easy ones made especially for busy weeknights. Perfect for meal prep, family dinners, and Summer grilling. Drain and rinse with cool water until cooled. One: Add the pasta to a pan of lightly salted boiling water and simmer for 12 minutes and the drain and rinse under cold water. 1 cup bottled greek vinaigrette dressing OR cup red wine vinegar cup olive oil teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon oregano salt & pepper to taste Instructions Whisk together dressing ingredients. While pasta is cooking, whisk together dressing ingredients (olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, oregano, and sugar). The best Greek Pasta Salad features healthy cucumber, kalamata olives, red bell pepper, tomatoes, red onion, chickpeas, oregano, parsley, vegan feta and lemon for a delicious quick + easy side side or main meal! I absolutely love the dressing, so brilliant to add the honey! Learn how your comment data is processed. Add a can of Trader Joes Greek Chickpeas with Parsley and Cumin. Add the dressing and toss. I added pepperoni and made a full meal out of it. Bring to a boil, cover the skillet with a lid and turn down to a simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the pasta has absorbed most of the water and is tender. For perfect pasta salad heres a few tips for success. If possible, purchase feta cheese in a block that is submerged in the brine. I added canned tuna to up the protein but I will make without tuna for an upcoming pot luck lunch. How do you make pizza sauce from Ranveer Brar? Too good!! Rinse with cold water; drain again. When the pasta is done cooking, drain the noodles, then add them to the bowl of vegetables and dressing. What should I make for dinner tonight? By Polo Tuna Souvlaki Pasta Salad 5 A non-traditional dinner-style pasta salad for those favoring a vinaigrette dressing. To make this recipe gluten-free, sub the whole wheat pasta for a plant-based vegetable or lentil pasta. In the meantime prepare your vegetables for the Greek pasta salad. I threw it on a bed of arugula for some extra veg. Since its not being served hot or with sauce, the pasta benefits from an extra minute of cooking, but dont let it get mushy. Drain and rinse under cold water, drain. Set a large pot of salted water over high heat. This variety of cucumber has more tender skin, smaller seeds, and does not have a bitter taste which can be common in regular cucumber. Perfect for summer parties or potlucks! This easy Greek Pasta Salad recipe is made from simple real food ingredients that you may already have. Chop the remaining ingredients and make the dressing. best greek pasta salad, best greek pasta salad with feta, Greek Pasta Salad, Greek Pasta Salad Recipe. Drain. Very tasty and quick & easy to prepare. Pour the Greek salad dressing over pasta mix in large bowl and mix well until pasta mix is evenly coated with . Let sit at room temperature for flavors to blend. Drain well and rinse with cold water. TIP: always salt your water once it's boiling and don't forget to do it because it does make a difference. Once cooled, combine the tomatoes, onions, olives, feta and cucumber to the pasta. Whisk together yogurt, mayo, pickles, lemon juice, Dijon, salt and pepper in a small bowl. This salad has so much flavor! Thats why youll see it in so many of my salad dressings! Early on, I chose cooking shows over cartoons, and have always loved spending time creating and experimenting with new recipes. Once the water is boiling stir in the bow tie pasta and return to a boil. In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil. When the pasta is done cooking, drain the noodles, then add them to the bowl of chopped veggies and dressing. Add the pasta in a bowl then add the cucumber, tomatoes, basil, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, chickpeas and feta. Chop and Slice. Drain and rinse with cold water immediately, set aside. Substitutions For Easy Greek Pasta Salad Here's the ingredient substitutions I recommend for this recipe. Add dressing and toss. Set aside and let it cool down a bit (not completely). Olives:Olives give the pasta salad that delicious salty tang. Combine tomatoes, garlic, oil and vinegar in a large bowl; let stand while you cook the pasta. Dont skip mincing the garlic when making the dressing. I used Banza brand chickpea pasta in these photos, which is naturally gluten-free, but you can use brown rice or whole wheat pasta with similar results. My name is Ashlea and Im the founder and recipe developer behind ATHT. Drain well, rinse with cold water, and drain again. Chill pasta salad for at least 1 hour before serving. Meanwhile, slice the cucumber and tomatoes, dice the bell pepper and thinly slice the shallot. Add dressing and toss well to combine. I love hearing from you! One serving (319 grams) of Greek salad contains ( 5 ): Calories: 211. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 11 minutes. I saw it in your Meal Plan for the Week email and decided to try it. Your email address will not be published. Step 2. Rinse and drain penne. Hi, Im Megan. Oh Sweet Basil. I wonder how it would be if I substituted some of my fresh dill or basil. Cucumber:English cucumbers (also called hot house or seedless) work best for this recipe. It is also a great side dish option to take to your next potluck or barbecue. Chop the fresh herbs. It came together so quickly and tastes absolutely delicious. Add in the feta cheese, if you'd like to, and serve right away, or let it chill in the fridge until you're ready to serve. It also contains phytonutrients and antioxidants, which reduces the risk of health problems such as heart disease and cancer. When you mince the garlic before adding it to your food processor or blender, it blends more evenly into the dressing. It was so good. Will definitely be a repeat! Cover and place in the refrigerator to all the flavors to develop. This was delicious and easy to make! The next step is an easy one: just boil the water and add the pasta. Keep those wonderful, recipes going. Add the cheese just before ready to serve. Cant even tell its got whole wheat noodles. Happy to hear that, Maggie! Add Kosher salt to the water. You can store this Greek Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Dig in! Once the pasta is cooled completely, place it in a large bowl and add the tomatoes, cucumber, feta, onion and olives. Toss until pasta is well coated. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions but reduce cooking time by 2 minutes so pasta is al dente; drain well. So glad I saw this is the weekly meal plan email! In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Add a light drizzle of olive oil to the grill pan. This Summer Macaroni Salad is perfect! Im so glad youre here! I added roasted chickpeas in mine, and fresh parsley instead of dill. I recommend making this pasta salad ahead of time because the flavors just get better and more pronounced as it sits. Meanwhile add cucumber, tomatoes, onions, black olives, bell pepper and parsley to a large bowl. Your email address will not be published. For extra flavor I like using the brine from the olives in my vinaigrette. How to make greek pasta salad: Cook pasta until al dente. The already-crumbled feta cheese is drier and not as creamy as the block. How long does Greek salad last in the fridge? 1 tbsp dried oregano 1 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper Instructions Cook pasta according to box and drain. Add the olives, red onion and brine from the olives and mix to combine. This was great. If you post it be sure to tag#Hearthealthygreek! Bring to a boil. This was so easy and so delicious. In a small bowl add the olive oil, greek yogurt, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper and whisk till mixed well. Love this dish for hot summer days! document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I made this for a family gathering. Rinse with cold water. Start a large pot of well-salted water to boil. Im so glad you and your son both enjoyed it! Step by step. I added some canned chicken (drained & rinsed) to keep it simple but add some protein. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions for al dente, adding an extra minute. When ready to serve, mix the pasta, dressing, cucumber, bell pepper, and feta cheese together in a large bowl. Drain and rinse with cold water. Drain and rinse the pasta under cool water to remove any excess starch before adding it to your mixing bowl. Prepare the pasta according to the package directions. Once the dressing is blended, give it a taste and adjust the amount of salt and pepper to your tastebuds before pouring the dressing over the pasta and veggies. Add all of the dressing ingredients to a high powered blender or food processor and blend until well combined. Prepare the salad dressing by whisking all of the dressing ingredients in a bowl. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Im a food and wine lover, and recipe creation enthusiast. Once cool, add the chopped ingredients to the bowl of pasta. While the pasta is cooking, stir together the Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dill, and oregano in a large bowl. The smaller, the better if you ask me! Required fields are marked *. This might just be the number one question that we ask ourselves almost daily over here. Then add in the chopped bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and parsley, if using. In a small bowl, mix kalamata olives, garlic, oregano, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, red wine vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil. Drain pasta and add it to a large bowl. Yes, it really IS that simple! 28 grams of feta cheese contains 75 calories. 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. This was so tasty and easy to throw together. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Add pasta and feta cheese when the pasta is completely cooled. Meanwhile, In a large bowl, combine the dressing ingredients. I also saw this recipe in your Meal Plan for the weekly email and had to try it. I Made It. Advertisement. Seriously so so good! If you want to swap the veggies in this recipe, or leave something out, feel free! 20 min. Whisk olive oil, vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper together in a bowl; set aside. Made this for a quick summer lunch! In a large bowl add cooked and cooled pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, onion and feta. Mix well, cover and marinate for 1 hour up to overnight. Great recipe, love the Greek flavors! Once al dente, drain and rinse the pasta with cold water. How long does Greek salad last in the fridge? Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a1f38a6d9897939d8850343e7a482b72" );document.getElementById("c166846c8a").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); A website dedicated to healthy eating and lifestyle choices inspired by our Greek heritage. Salt your water while cooking the pasta to ensure that it has plenty of flavor. Add in an extra splash of vinegar, lemon juice, or salt to brighten the flavor again. Drain and set aside to cool. Cook pasta according to package directions. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your email address will not be published. Mix to combine. Combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, and spices. Add them to a large bowl. Then drain, rinse under cold water, and toss with a little oil to prevent sticking. 3. Leave us a comment below and let us know how you like this recipe. Add additional fresh lemon zest or juice (optional) to taste. Creamy Whipped Feta with roasted tomatoes, Its not fall yet until youve made Spanakopit, Do you think pears are a little underappreciated w, We adore carrots, and this mouthwateri, For rushed meal times, flatbread pizza is ideal. While pasta cooks, prep the veggies. To make Greek Pasta Salad, youll start by cooking the pasta. Cook pasta in water (as per package directions) until tender (al dente), but still firm. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chopped spinach, and sliced cherry tomatoes. My love for food has only deepened as Ive gotten older, and today, the kitchen is still one of my favorite places to spend time. Start off by choosing the pasta shape you prefer. 4 to 5 days 1 teaspoon of Irish raw honey. Get new free recipes and exclusive content delivered right to your inbox: Your email address will not be published. Toss well to coat. Frequently asked questions. Easy and super tasty make-ahead meal for lunches during the week. My son loved it this salad so much he had three helpings. Note: I like to start by chopping the red onion and adding it to the bowl of dressing, so it can marinate the longest. In a small bowl whisk the oil, vinegar, garlic, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Pasta salad is a classic summer side dish, but adding protein (leftover grilled chicken is perfect here) and extra greens makes it a super-satisfying lunch. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. This post may contain affiliate links. My food philosophy is to eat seasonal, whole foods and maintain good portion control (everything in moderation!). While the noodles are cooking, stir together the ingredients for the Greek dressing and set aside until ready to use. While your pasta is cooking, chop your cucumber, tomatoes, onion, and kalamata olives. Follow this tip: For a well-cooked pasta salad, plan to cook the pasta until just past al dente.