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Oh, my goodness, this Greek pasta salad with feta and olives is just about the happiest dish you can whip up! It’s got that bright, sunny vibe that just screams Mediterranean, and honestly, how can you go wrong with pasta, feta, and olives? It’s one of those recipes I return to again and again, especially when I want something that feels a little special but is totally doable. You know, my mom’s side of the family is all about that fresh, vibrant cooking, and this salad really captures that spirit. I’ve tested this recipe so many times, fiddling with the dressing and the veggies, to make sure it has that perfect balance of tangy, salty, and fresh. It truly shines as a make-ahead picnic side dish – nobody wants to be fussing in the kitchen when there are games to play or sunshine to enjoy. This Greek pasta salad with feta and olives is my go-to for potlucks, BBQs, or just a lovely lunch on the patio. It’s elegant enough for guests, but easy enough for a Tuesday afternoon.
- Why You'll Love This Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives
- Gathering Your Ingredients for Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives
- Crafting Your Perfect Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives: Step-by-Step
- Tips for the Best Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives
- Ingredient Spotlight: Feta and Kalamata Olives
- Serving and Storing Your Greek Pasta Salad
- Frequently Asked Questions about Greek Pasta Salad
- Estimated Nutritional Information
- Share Your Greek Pasta Salad Creation!
Why You’ll Love This Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives
Seriously, this salad is a total winner. It’s so ridiculously easy to toss together, which, let’s be honest, is exactly what we need most days, right? Plus, the flavors are just perfection – that zesty dressing, the creamy salty feta, and those briny olives are a match made in heaven. It’s the kind of dish that makes you look like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen, but we’ll keep that our little secret! And the best part? It’s a total make-ahead dream. It actually gets better as it sits, so you can prep it for that picnic or party the day before. Easy, delicious, and always a hit!
Gathering Your Ingredients for Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives
Okay, so putting this amazing Greek pasta salad with feta and olives together is super simple when you’ve got all your goodies ready to go. Here’s what you’ll need to grab:
- Pasta: About a pound of your favorite shape. Rotini or penne work really well because they hold onto the dressing like little pasta hugs! Make sure it’s cooked and then rinsed really well with cold water so it doesn’t get mushy.
- Cucumber: One English cucumber is perfect. I like to seed it and then give it a nice dice. It adds such a refreshing crunch!
- Bell Pepper: One red bell pepper, diced up nice and pretty. The color it adds is just gorgeous!
- Red Onion: About half a red onion, sliced really thin. If raw onion is a bit strong for you, you can soak the slices in ice water for about 10 minutes, then drain them. It takes the bite right off.
- Kalamata Olives: You’ll need about half a cup. Make sure they’re pitted and then halved so they’re easy to eat. Oh, and try to get the good ones in brine, they have the best flavor!
- Feta Cheese: Around 4 ounces of crumbled feta. I always look for a block and crumble it myself; it just tastes so much better than the pre-crumbled stuff which can be a little chalky.
- Olive Oil: About a quarter cup of good quality extra virgin olive oil is key for the dressing.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Two tablespoons of this adds that essential tangy kick.
- Dried Oregano: One teaspoon of dried oregano is perfect for that classic Greek flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Of course, you’ll need salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
That’s it! See? Nothing too crazy, just fresh, simple ingredients that come together to make something truly delicious.
Crafting Your Perfect Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives: Step-by-Step
Alright, let’s get this beautiful Greek pasta salad with feta and olives made! It really is all about that approachable elegance I love – simple steps, stunning results. Don’t be intimidated, it’s honestly a breeze, and the payoff is SO worth it.
Preparing the Pasta Base
First things first, you gotta cook your pasta. Just follow the package directions, but I always recommend cooking it just until it’s al dente, you know, with a little bit of a bite. After you drain it, give it a really good rinse under cold water. This stops the cooking and stops those pasta pieces from sticking together into one giant blob. Seriously, don’t skip that cold rinse!
Assembling the Greek Pasta Salad
Now for the fun part – throwing everything together! Grab a big ol’ bowl, like a really generous one. Add in your cooled pasta, the diced cucumber, that pretty red bell pepper, those thinly sliced red onions, and of course, the olives and crumbled feta. Give it a gentle toss with a big spoon or even your hands – just be nice about it so you don’t smash up that lovely feta!
Whisking the Zesty Dressing
In a separate, smaller bowl, let’s whip up that yummy dressing. It’s just a quick whisk of olive oil, red wine vinegar for that zing, a good teaspoon of dried oregano (it’s SO important for that Greek flavor!), and then just season it with salt and pepper to your liking. Give it a good whisk until it’s all emulsified and looks lovely and creamy, like a little flavor hug.
Tossing and Chilling for Flavor Fusion
Pour that amazing dressing over your pasta mixture. Now, give it another gentle toss, making sure every single bit of pasta and veggies gets coated in that delicious dressing. This is where the magic really happens: cover that bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time is SO crucial because it lets all those incredible flavors meld together. That’s how you get the truly best Greek pasta salad with feta and olives!
Tips for the Best Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives
Okay, so to make sure your Greek pasta salad with feta and olives is truly spectacular, here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up over the years. First, use the best ingredients you can find – good quality feta and really flavorful Kalamata olives make a huge difference! When you’re cooking the pasta, don’t overdo it; al dente is your friend here, and that cold rinse is non-negotiable for preventing mush. Taste your dressing before you toss everything; you might want a little more vinegar for tang or a pinch more salt. And remember, this salad *loves* to hang out in the fridge for a bit. That chilly time is like a flavor spa day for the ingredients, making everything taste so much better. Planning ahead is key!
Ingredient Spotlight: Feta and Kalamata Olives
Okay, let’s talk about the superstars in this Greek pasta salad with feta and olives: the feta and the Kalamata olives! These aren’t just random additions; they’re the heart and soul of that authentic Mediterranean flavor. The feta brings this creamy, tangy, slightly salty bite that just makes everything pop, and Kalamata olives? Oh, those rich, briny gems add a depth that nothing else can quite match. Using these good-quality ingredients really transforms a simple pasta salad into something truly special and so incredibly delicious.
Serving and Storing Your Greek Pasta Salad
This Greek pasta salad with feta and olives is just begging to be taken to your next picnic or potluck! Since it tastes even better after chilling, it’s pretty much the perfect make-ahead dish. Just spoon it into a pretty serving bowl – maybe add a few extra crumbles of feta or a fresh sprig of parsley on top for a little razzle-dazzle. As for storing leftovers? Easy peasy! Keep it covered tightly in the fridge. It’ll stay delicious for about 3-4 days, though honestly, it usually disappears much faster than that in my house!
Frequently Asked Questions about Greek Pasta Salad
Got questions about whipping up this amazing Greek pasta salad with feta and olives? I’ve got you covered! Here are a few things folks often ask:
Can I make this Greek pasta salad ahead of time?
Oh, absolutely! That’s one of the best things about this easy Greek pasta salad recipe. It actually tastes even better when it has a chance to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, so making it a few hours or even a day ahead is totally the way to go. The flavors just have more time to get to know each other and meld together, making it even more delicious!
What kind of pasta is best for Greek pasta salad?
For a really great summer pasta salad like this, you want a pasta shape that will hold onto all that yummy dressing and little bits of veggies. I love using rotini or penne because they have those twists and curves that act like little flavor cups. Bowtie pasta (farfalle) works great too! Just make sure whatever you pick, you cook it al dente and give it a good rinse with cold water.
How long does Greek pasta salad last in the refrigerator?
This best Greek salad recipe keeps really well in the fridge! Once it’s all mixed and chilled, you can expect it to be delicious for about 3 to 4 days if you store it in an airtight container. Just give it a quick stir before serving, and it’s good to go for lunches or snacks!
Can I add other vegetables or protein?
Yes, you absolutely can! This salad is super versatile. Feel free to toss in some chopped artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, or even some grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a heartier meal. It’s a great base for whatever you’re craving!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this Greek pasta salad with feta and olives is an estimate, since brands and how much of everything you use can change things a bit! But generally, each serving is around 350 calories, with about 18g of fat (4g saturated), 35g of carbohydrates, and 12g of protein. We’re aiming for that delicious balance, not calorie counting perfection!
Share Your Greek Pasta Salad Creation!
Have you made this delicious Greek pasta salad with feta and olives yet? I’d absolutely LOVE to hear all about it! Drop a comment below and tell me what you think, or if you added any fun twists. Don’t forget to give it a star rating if you loved it – it really helps out other home cooks!
PrintGreek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives
A simple and delicious Greek pasta salad perfect for picnics and make-ahead meals.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, olives, and feta cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over pasta mixture and toss to combine.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For best flavor, let the salad sit for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- You can add grilled chicken or shrimp for a more substantial meal.
- Adjust the amount of dressing to your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 20mg