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    You Are Here Home » Appetizer Recipes

    Published: Jun 5, 2020 Updated: Jun 10, 2022 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links 4 Comments

    Creamy Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

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    Greek pasta salad pin

    A Creamy Greek Pasta Salad recipe, with all the ingredients you love in a traditional Greek Salad like cucumber, tomatoes, red onions, black olives, and feta, mixed with Italian bowtie pasta. Serve this delicious pasta with moussaka or baby back ribs!

    pasta salad in a large white and pink bowl

    Why This Recipe Works

    I've tasted a lot of pasta salad recipes over the years. After many church potlucks, women's Bible studies, and other events, you can't help but sample hundreds of various pasta salad recipes.

    However, there's one particular Greek Pasta Salad recipe that stands out in my mind above all the rest. It's a recipe that my friend Rose shared in a Pathways Community Church cookbook which was published in 2006.

    If there's one thing I love about this particular pasta salad recipe it's the combination of cucumber and Feta cheese. I know that sounds simplistic, but it's such a great combo!

    I have used Rose's recipe as a starting point and have made some slight adjustments because, you know, that's just what I do!

    One of the changes I made was to add spicy chili peppers. I just love using them in salads but they go especially well in this Greek salad recipe.

    Rose's recipe uses pre-made balsamic and oil vinegar dressing. Since I didn't have any on hand, I decided to make my own. Besides, I really wanted to mix in dried oregano and fresh garlic in with the dressing.

    What Goes Into This Recipe

    labeled pasta salad ingredients
    labeled Salad dressing ingredients

    Ingredient Notes

    • Bowtie Pasta — Although I'm using this colorful and fun bow-tie pasta, spiral, shell, or any shaped pasta can be used to make this Greek Pasta Salad recipe.
    • Black Olives — If you want to make this salad even better, replace the canned black olives with Kalamata olives. You can also add pitted green olives to this salad.
    • Feta Cheese — Besides good quality Feta cheese, you can also use cubed sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese.
    • Chili Peppers — The chili peppers give this salad a little spicy kick. If you mild food, you can leave them out.
    • The Dressing — The simple creamy dressing is made with a mixture of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, ranch dressing, herbs, and spices.

    How to Make This Recipe

    STEP 1: Add water and 1 tablespoon of salt to a six-quart Dutch oven. Bring to a boil then add pasta.

    salt being poured into a pot of water
    colorful bowtie pasta in a pot of water

    STEP 2: Stir the pasta to keep it from sticking together and cook for ten minutes, or according to package directions. Drain the pasta in a strainer and rinse with cold water.

    Stirring pasting in a pot of water
    colorful bowtie pasta being drained in a strainer

    STEP 3: Add cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, tomatoes, black olives, and hot chili peppers to a medium-sized bowl. Add pasta to the bowl and mix to combine.

    salad ingredients in a white bowl
    bow tie pasta in a large white bowl
    pasta salad being mixed in a bowl

    STEP 4: Whisk dressing ingredients together in a measuring cup. Pour dressing over the pasta salad and gently mix to combine.

    salad dressing ingredients in a measuring cup
    whisking salad dressing ingredients in a cup
    mixing dressing into pasta salad in a bowl
    mixing pasta salad in a white bowl

    STEP 5: Sprinkle feta cheese over the pasta salad and fold in until completely incorporated. Chill and serve as a side or as an appetizer.

    pasta salad topped with feta
    pasta salad being stirred in a bowl

    Recipe FAQs

    What is Greek Pasta Salad?

    Greek Pasta Salad is a cold salad that usually served as a side dish. A mixture of freshly chopped vegetables (tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, red pepper, black olives, and chili peppers) is mixed with a tangy Greek dressing. Cold pasta and Feta cheese complete this delicious dish!

    Do you let pasta cool before making pasta salad?

    Although you can cool the pasta prior to adding it to the other salad ingredients, it's not necessary. As a matter of fact, the flavor just might soak in even better if the pasta is still warm. However, if the pasta is too hot, it can slightly cook the vegetables, which is not desirable.

    Can I Make Pasta Salad the Night Before?

    You can absolutely make this Greek Pasta Salad Recipe the night before. It might actually taste even better! The flavors will be infused into the salad, and mixing in a little additional dressing prior to serving it will really wake up the flavor!

    Pro Tips

    • Pepperoncini peppers are also great in this salad.
    • If you are short on time just use Paul Newman's Balsamic Vinaigrette instead of making it from scratch.
    • Cubes of cheddar and salami are also great additions to this Creamy Greek Salad Recipe.
    pasta salad in a white and pink bowl

    Related Recipes

    • Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad
    • Tabouli (Tabbouleh) Salad Recipe
    • Zesty Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate Dressing
    • Green Goddess Salad Recipe

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, 4294 TikTok, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    greek salad

    Creamy Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

    Delicious Creamy Greek Pasta Salad recipe, with all the ingredients you love in a traditional Greek Salad like cucumber, tomatoes, red onions, black olives, and feta, mixed with Italian bowtie pasta.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, Greek
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 8 people
    Calories: 349kcal
    Author: Hilda Sterner

    Ingredients

    • 9 oz dry bowtie pasta
    • 1 medium cucumber (chopped)
    • ½ medium bell pepper (sliced)
    • ½ cup red onion (sliced)
    • 1½ cups grape tomatoes (sliced in half)
    • 1 6 oz can whole black olives
    • 1½ cups crumbled feta
    • ½ cup spicy chili peppers

    Dressing

    • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ½ cup ranch dressing
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Additional Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon sea salt (to salt boiling water)

    Instructions

    • Add water and 1 tablespoon of salt to a six-quart Dutch oven. Bring to a boil, then add pasta.
    • Stir the pasta to keep it from sticking together and cook for ten minutes, or according to package directions. Drain the pasta in a strainer and rinse with cold water.
    • Add cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, tomatoes, black olives, and hot chili peppers to a medium-sized bowl. Add pasta to the bowl and mix to combine.
    • Whisk dressing ingredients together in a measuring cup. Pour dressing over the pasta salad and gently mix to combine. 
    • Sprinkle feta cheese over the pasta salad and fold in until completely incorporated. Chill and serve as a side or appetizer.

    Notes

    • Put some of the salad dressing aside and stir it in just prior to serving. This really wakes up the flavor of the pasta salad.
    • Pepperoncini peppers are also great in this salad.
    • If you are short on time just use Paul Newman's Balsamic Vinaigrette instead of making it from scratch.
    • Cubes of cheddar and salami are also great additions to this Creamy Greek Salad Recipe.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 8people | Calories: 349kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 48448140mg | Potassium: 10247mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 613IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 30169mg | Iron: 414mg
    Tried this Recipe? Please leave A Star Rating!Mention @HildasKitchenBlog or tag #HildasKitchenBlog!

    More Appetizer Recipes

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    1. Lori says

      October 16, 2022 at 4:10 pm

      I have made this twice and both times it was a huge hit! It’s easy and super good! The cucumber is refreshing! I made a ton and it did not last!

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        October 16, 2022 at 4:16 pm

        Thanks, Lori! I really appreciate the review!

        Reply
    2. Kelly Methey says

      June 05, 2020 at 11:00 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is calling my name! Sounds so good, especially with summer coming. Adding the meat and cheese makes it dinner in a bowl on a hot day!
      Thanks, Hilda, for another great recipe.

      Reply
      • HildaSterner says

        June 06, 2020 at 9:46 pm

        Thanks, Kelly, I hope you like it as much as Art did!

        Reply

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