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This Healthy Greek Pasta Salad is packed with fresh veggies, flavorful herbs, and a light zesty vinaigrette.
It’s an easy make-ahead dish that’s perfect for summer BBQ’s, picnics, or to just keep in your fridge and snack on whenever.
Crunchy summer veggies are loaded in each serving making this a nourishing and fairly healthy side dish – which is good since it’s so addicting.
Loving fresh summer recipes? Check out this summer Strawberry Tiramisu or these Mediterranean Grilled Chicken bowls.
Contents hide
1 WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED TO MAKE A HEALTHY GREEK PASTA SALAD?
1.1 FOR THE ZESTY VINAIGRETTE:
2 HOW TO MAKE A HEALTHY GREEK PASTA SALAD
2.2 Prepare Zesty Vinaigrette
2.3 Combine
3 RECIPE VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
4 RECIPE FAQ’S
5 MORE GREEK RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
6 STEP-BY-STEP TUTORIAL VIDEO
7 Healthy Greek Pasta Salad
7.1 Ingredients
7.1.1 Pasta Salad:
7.1.2 Zesty Vinaigrette:
7.2 Instructions
7.2.2 Prepare Zesty Vinaigrette:
7.2.3 Combine:
7.3 Notes
WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED TO MAKE A HEALTHY GREEK PASTA SALAD?
Bowtie Pasta – also known as farfalle. Fusilli is another great pasta shape for this recipe.
English cucumber –sometimes called ‘hot house cucumber’. I like using English cucumbers because they have less seeds and don’t require peeling.
Cherry tomatoes –or ‘grape’ tomatoes are easiest to prepare, look the best, and hold their juices in well.
Green pepper –can be substituted for yellow, orange, or red pepper.
Red onion– if you want to mellow out the red onion, let it soak in water once you chop it and drain before adding to the pasta salad.
Kalamata olives –make sure to buy pitted.
Feta– this recipe is vegetarian but leaving out the feta would make it vegan.
Parsley– fresh and roughly chopped.
FOR THE ZESTY VINAIGRETTE:
- Olive oil
- Water
- Red wine vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Dill
- Salt
- Pepper
HOW TO MAKE A HEALTHY GREEK PASTA SALAD
Prepare Pasta & Veggies
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Cook pasta according to package instructions, to al dente.
TIP: always salt your water once it’s boiling and don’t forget to do it because it does make a difference.
Drain and rinse with cold water immediately, set aside.
Slice cucumber into half-moons, halve tomatoes, remove seeds from bell pepper and chop, chop red onion, halve kalamata olives, and chop parsley. Cut feta into small cubes.
Prepare Zesty Vinaigrette
In a separate bowl or mason jar, add olive oil, water, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, fresh parsley, fresh dill, salt, and pepper. Whisk together well.
TIP: double up on this recipe and use it again for a leafy green salad or to marinate chicken. It keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Combine
In a large bowl, add cooked pasta, chopped veggies, and pour in the zesty vinaigrette. Gently toss to combine all ingredients.
Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking by adding more salt, pepper, lemon, or herbs.
RECIPE VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- Gluten-free: choose a GF pasta like one made with chickpeas.
- Vegan: omit the feta cheese or swap for a vegan feta.
- Make it a meal: this healthy Greek pasta salad can easily become a complete meal by adding grilled chicken or fish.
- Ingredients: add chopped artichoke hearts, different color peppers, capers, or red pepper flakes to spice it up.
RECIPE FAQ’S
How long does Greek pasta salad last in the fridge?
Up to 4 days.
What goes with pasta salad?
This recipe tastes great as a side for grilled meat, burgers, fish, or deli sandwiches.
Is it best to make pasta salad the day before?
Yes, it’s great the longer it has to marinate and become extra flavorful.
MORE GREEK RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
- Authentic Greek Potato Wedges
- Whipped Feta Appetizer (Tyrosalata)
- Homemade Pita Bread
STEP-BY-STEP TUTORIAL VIDEO
@spoonfulofsi My Greek Pasta Salad recipe on a hot summer day🥵👌🥗 #pastasalad #greekpastasalad #vegetarian #recipes #summersalad #33333 #greeksalad #sidedishrecipe #bestrecipes #foodtiktok #fyp
♬ Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles
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Print Recipe
Healthy Greek Pasta Salad
This Greek Pasta Salad is packed with fresh veggies, flavorful herbs, and a homemade zesty vinaigrette. It’s a quick and easy make-ahead dish that’s perfect for summer BBQ’s, picnics, or potlucks.
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Greek
Servings: 6
Ingredients
Pasta Salad:
- 8 oz bowtie pasta, cooked to al dente
- 1 english cucumber, sliced into half moons
- 10 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 5 oz kalamata olives, halved
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 8 oz feta, cubed
Zesty Vinaigrette:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup water
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Prepare Pasta & Veggies:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Cook pasta according to package instructions, to al dente. Drain cooked pasta and rinse with cold water.
Slice english cucumber into half moons, halve tomatoes, chop bell pepper, chop red onion, halve kalamata olives, and chop fresh parsley. Cut feta into small cubes.
Prepare Zesty Vinaigrette:
In a separate bowl or mason jar, add olive oil, water, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, dijon mustard, minced garlic, fresh parsley, fresh dill, salt, and pepper. Whisk together well.
Combine:
In a large bowl, add cooked pasta, chopped veggies, and pour in the zesty vinaigrette. Gently toss to combine all ingredients.
Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking by adding more salt, pepper, lemon, or herbs. Refrigerate for up to 4 days!
Notes
- Keep refrigerated, lasts up to 4 days.
- Don’t forget to salt the pasta water.
- Run cold water over the cooked pasta to stop it from overcooking.
- Use 2 tsp dried herbs if you don’t have fresh.
