This Greek Pasta Salad combines the beloved flavors of Mediterranean flavors of Greek Salad with the comforts of Macaroni Salad. You’ll love the zesty Greek salad dressing that coats every bite.
This can be served as a side or a meal in itself. It’s a refreshing and satisfying dish that is perfect for summer picnics, or anytime you crave something light yet flavorful. Watch the video tutorial to see how easy it is.
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We love pasta salads from the classic Italian Pasta Salad to the hearty BLT Pasta Salad. If you’re into pasta dishes that are light yet packed with flavor, then you have to give this Greek Pasta Salad a try!
Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Greek pasta salad is the perfect dish for any occasion, whether it’s a summer barbecue, a family picnic, a church potluck, or a quick weeknight dinner. With its vibrant colors, fresh vegetables, and classic Mediterranean flavors, this salad is not only beautiful but also incredibly delicious.
The combination of tender pasta, crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, briny olives, and tangy feta cheese creates a perfect blend of tastes and textures that everyone will love. Plus, it’s easy to customize and can be made ahead of time, making it an ideal addition to your recipe rotation.
Greek Pasta Salad Video
Watch Natasha create this mouthwatering Greek Pasta Salad. It’s so simple—just chop your ingredients, combine them, and pour the delicious homemade Greek Salad Dressing over the top. Follow along and you’ll have the tastiest pasta salad ready in no time.
Ingredients
The key to making the best Greek Pasta Salad lies in blending fresh, high-quality ingredients with a perfectly balanced dressing.
- Bowtie pasta – or any small, shaped pasta, serves as the hearty base of the salad, perfectly capturing the tangy Greek dressing.
- English cucumber – adds a refreshing crunch
- Cherry tomatoes – (or grape tomatoes) halved, to add a burst of sweetness
- Bell pepper – chopped, any color will do to add a touch of crunch
- Red onion – chopped, provides a mild sharpness to the mix
- Feta cheese – crumbled, lends a creamy, tangy element
- Kalamata olives – pitted and halved/chopped, bring a rich briny flavor
- Parsley – brightens the salad with its fresh, herbal touch
Variations
- Pasta options: opt for smaller shapes like fusilli, bowtie, penne, farfalle, or orzo pasta as they are excellent at holding onto every drop of that delicious Greek pasta salad dressing.
- For extra flavor: consider using fresh herbs such as basil, dill, or chives. You can also include veggies like artichoke hearts, capers, roasted red peppers, and green or black olives. You can also add lemon juice from one lemon to the dressing for a bright and tangy flavor.
- Protein: grilled chicken, or shrimp, or even chickpeas to make this side dish a complete meal.
- Vinegar: This will give you the most authentic flavor, but you could substitute it with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. You could also substitute with the juice of the kalamata olives if it’s made with red wine vinegar and add it to taste.
The Best Greek Salad Dressing
This is the same dressing we used in our favorite Greek Salad recipe in Natasha’s Kitchen Cookbook. It’s so simple but perfectly balanced and adds plenty of juiciness and flavor to the salad. All you need is:
- Extra virgin olive oil – get the best quality you can find for the best-tasting dressing
- Red wine vinegar – adds acidity to the dressing
- Garlic – use fresh and not pre-minced for a punch of fresh flavor
- Simple Seasonings – we used dried oregano, salt, and pepper
How to Make Greek Salad Dressing
- In a large measuring cup or mason jar, add the following ingredients in this order red wine vinegar, dried oregano, grated garlic, fine sea salt, ground black pepper, and extra virgin olive oil.
- Whisk to combine, or if you’re using a mason jar with a lid, give it a good shake to mix everything together. You can make this ahead and let the flavors meld.
How to Make Greek Pasta Salad
- Boil the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain in a colander, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta. Drain well and set it aside. Make the Greek salad dressing.
- Combine the salad ingredients in a large bowl: pasta, cucumbers, tomato, bell pepper, red onion, feta cheese, kalamata olives and parsley. If the dressing has separated, give it a good shake before drizzling it over the salad. Toss the salad to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours, for the flavors to meld. Since the pasta will absorb some of the dressing, taste the salad after refrigeration and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Pro Tip:
Cook the pasta al dente—firm but tender. Overcooked pasta can turn mushy when combined with dressing and other ingredients.
What to serve with Greek Pasta Salad
Greek Pasta Salad is perfect for summer months because it can be served cool, straight from the refrigerator. While this pasta salad is delicious and fulfilling on its own, we enjoy taking it to the next level by pairing it with some of our favorite proteins:
- Chimichurri Chicken
- Grilled Pork Tenderloin
- Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- Grilled Steak
- Garlic Lime Butter Grilled Salmon
Make-Ahead
Not only can you make this pasta salad ahead of time, it actually tastes even better the next day as the pasta absorbs the dressing, enhancing the flavors.
- Refrigerate covered for at least 30 minutes to allow the ingredients to blend together. For even more intense flavors, let it chill overnight and serve the next day.
- Store leftovers for up to three days. Because the pasta may absorb some of the dressing, give it a good stir before serving. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed for the best flavor.
With just 20 minutes of prep time (plus a 30-minute chill in the refrigerator), this Greek Pasta Salad comes together quickly and easily. Boil pasta, chop the veggies, and toss it all together faster than you can say “OPA”! It doesn’t get much easier than this!
More Fresh Salad Recipes
Salads are a wonderful way to incorporate a variety of vegetables, fruits, and other healthy ingredients into your meals. If you love this Greek Pasta Salad recipe, here are a few other fresh salad recipes you might enjoy:
- Chickpea Salad
- Caesar Salad
- Taco Salad
- Avocado Corn Salad
- Panzanella Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Caprese Salad
Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Greek Salad:
- 8 oz bowtie pasta, or rotini or fusili pasta
- ½ English cucumber, diced (2 cups)
- 10 oz cherry tomatoes, halved (1 ½ cups)
- 1 bell pepper, any color, seeded and chopped
- 1 small red onion, chopped (⅓ cup chopped)
- 4 oz crumbled feta, 1 cup
- ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives, or added to taste, halved or coarsely chopped, plus 1 Tbsp of juice from the jar
- ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped
Greek Salad Dressing:
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 3 garlic cloves, grated or minced
- 1 tsp fine sea salt, or added to taste
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ to ⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions until it's al dente. Drain in a colander, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta. Drain well, and set it aside.
- Make the dressing – Combine all dressing ingredients in the order they are listed in a large measuring cup and whisk to combine (or shake it up in a lidded mason jar).
- Combine the salad ingredients in a large bowl: pasta, cucumbers, tomato, bell pepper, red onion, feta cheese, kalamata olives and parsley. If the dressing has separated, give it a good shake before drizzling it over the salad. Add a spoonful of juice from Kalamata olives if desired and toss the salad to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for the flavors to meld, or up to 24 hours. Since the pasta will absorb some of the dressing, taste the salad after refrigeration and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Delicious and refreshing! This Greek Pasta Salad is perfect for summer gatherings. Thankyou for sharing!
You are very welcome!
I cut down on garlic but great dressing.
I have made this pasta salad a number of times. It is excellent. Now a favorite in my home. Love all your tips on tweekenig it.
Thank you Natasha.
what can you use instead of feta cheese?
Hi Jane! You can probably try goats, parmesan, cottage or ricotta.
I just made this tonight and it was so amazing. Loved every bite with a bowtie pasta, feta, dressing, cucumber, tomato,red pepper. It was just amazing flavour.
That’s great to hear. So glad you loved it.
I think it has too much garlic. I cut it in half and much better. First time I changed any of your recipes. The ones I have made have been great.
Thank you for the feedback, Diana!
Love all your recipes. They are all fresh and healthy. Thank you.
Thank you Natasha for sharing your wonderful & inspiring recipes♡*😊
You’re very welcome, Jacalyn!
Can I use distilled white vinegar or lemon juice instead of red wine vinegar?
I haven’t tried that but you could substitute it with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. You could also substitute with the juice of the kalamata olives if it’s made with red wine vinegar and add it to taste.