Summer Pasta Salad Greek Style (Printable)

Classic Greek flavors meet tender pasta, olives, feta, and crisp veggies for a vibrant summer dish.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle)
02 - Salt, for boiling pasta

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium cucumber, diced
04 - 7 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 small red onion, finely sliced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Greek Flavors

07 - 3.5 oz Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
08 - 4.2 oz feta cheese, crumbled
09 - 2 tbsp capers (optional)

→ Dressing

10 - 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
14 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
15 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Fresh Herbs

16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
17 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente following package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, finely sliced red onion, diced red bell pepper, Kalamata olives, and capers if using.
03 - Whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, minced garlic, sea salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar until thoroughly blended.
04 - Add cooled pasta to the prepared vegetables. Pour dressing over and toss gently to ensure even coating.
05 - Fold in crumbled feta cheese, chopped parsley, and dill if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning.
06 - Refrigerate for a minimum of 15 minutes prior to serving to enhance flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You'll finally have a pasta salad that doesn't disappoint at potlucks—even your most food-savvy friends will ask for the secret.
  • Every bite brings the crunch of veggies and the tang of Greek flavors, making it a go-to for lazy summer weekends.
02 -
  • Rinsing the pasta under cold water is crucial—skip it and you'll get sticky clumps instead of a bright, loose salad.
  • Letting the salad sit in the fridge before serving amplifies the flavor—it's like the veggies and dressing become best friends.
03 -
  • Slice onions extra thin to mellow the sharpness—soak in water for a few minutes if needed.
  • Toss pasta with a drizzle of olive oil just after chilling to keep it from sticking as you combine everything.
Go Back