Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
A refreshing Greek Pasta Salad combining bite-sized gemelli pasta, crisp cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, tangy feta, and briny kalamata olives all tossed in a zesty lemon and oregano dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings or light lunches.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 27 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad
- 16 ounces gemelli or rotini pasta
- 1 English cucumber, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup pitted kalamata olives
- 6 ounces feta cheese, cubed
Dressing
- ½ cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the gemelli or rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and transfer it to a large mixing bowl to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Vegetables and Cheese: While the pasta is cooking, slice the cucumber, dice the red bell pepper, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, pit the kalamata olives if not already pitted, and cube the feta cheese.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the prepared vegetables and feta cheese to the bowl with the pasta. Gently toss the ingredients together to distribute evenly.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, dried oregano, salt, and cracked pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the pasta salad mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure every bite is coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired.
Notes
- Use gemelli or rotini pasta for best texture as they hold the dressing well.
- For a vegetarian dish, ensure feta cheese is made without animal rennet.
- Can be made a day ahead for enhanced flavor; keep refrigerated.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or dill for extra freshness if desired.
- This salad is perfect as a side dish or a light main course.
Keywords: Greek pasta salad, feta pasta salad, Mediterranean salad, gemelli pasta salad, healthy pasta salad, lemon oregano dressing
Find it online: https://spatulaqueen.com/greek-pasta-salad-recipe/
