The Best Greek Pasta Salad – A Fresh, Family-Favorite Recipe!
The Best Greek Pasta Salad – A Fresh, Family-Favorite Recipe!
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course pasta
Cuisine Greek
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or bowtie – whatever your little ones love!)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cooking the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
2. Preparing the Vegetables
While the pasta is cooking, chop the cucumbers, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and chop the parsley. If your kids aren’t big fans of onions, you can dice them smaller or leave them out.
3. Making the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice until well combined.
4. Assembling the Salad
In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled pasta, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, olives, and parsley. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Top with crumbled feta cheese and serve immediately or chill before serving.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
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Gluten-Free? Use gluten-free pasta so everyone can enjoy!
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Add More Protein: Toss in grilled chicken, shrimp, or even chickpeas for a heartier meal.
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Make it Kid-Friendly: Skip the onions or chop them finely if your little ones are picky.
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Dairy-Free? Leave out the feta or use a dairy-free alternative.