Our Greek Pasta Salad is the ultimate summer side dish! Tender
Table of Contents
Who says
That said, pasta of all kinds is a staple in our diets, and we aren’t quite willing to give it up when summer comes around. So, we use it in refreshing cold dishes like this Greek
Why You’ll Love Greek Spaghetti Pasta Salad
- It’s made with fresh, simple ingredients.
- You can prepare it in minutes.
- Leftovers store well to enjoy throughout the week.
- Ingredients can easily be mixed and matched to suit your flavor preferences and dietary needs.
What You’ll Need
Like most of our salad recipes, the ingredients for this dish are broken down into two components with the
Spaghetti Pasta Salad
- Spaghetti – You can’t have a
spaghetti pasta salad withoutspaghetti ! Cook the noodles to al dente just like you would with a regular ground beef spaghetti recipe. - Produce – An abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables adds color, bulk, and nutrients to the dish. For Greek-inspired flavor, we include Kalamata olives, red onion, grape tomatoes, Persian cucumbers, and orange and red bell peppers.
- Herbs – Fresh Italian parsley adds a vibrant, slightly peppery kick.
- Cheese – Technically optional, we love the creamy texture and slightly salty flavor a sprinkle of feta adds. To make this recipe dairy-free, swap it out with dairy-free cheese. Or, omit it completely.
Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing
- Olive Oil – Oil forms the base of the dressing while adding healthy fats. We recommend using rich, peppery-flavored extra virgin olive oil.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes – These form the base of the flavor adding a vibrant, acidic flavor that pairs wonderfully with the herbs and spices for a robust, savory taste.
- Herbs and Spices – Salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and garlic enhance the Greek flavors.
- Lemon Juice – Citrus cuts through the richness of the oil and fats, creating a well-rounded balance of flavors.
How to Make Cold Spaghetti Pasta Salad
This Greek
- Prepare the Pasta. Cook your
spaghetti noodles to al dente according to the package instructions. Then, drain them in a colander, and set them aside. - Create the Salad. Slice and chop the produce, and combine all the pasta salad ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.
- Make the Dressing. Add all the ingredients to the bowl of a small blender. Pulse until smooth.
- Toss. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad, and toss to combine. Add a sprinkle of feta cheese on top, and serve right away.
Common Questions About Spaghetti Pasta Salad
Yes! In fact, we recommend doing so, because it allows the ingredients enough time to marinate and absorb the flavor of the dressing.
When stored in an airtight container, leftovers will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. Just give them a good toss before serving!
No, we don’t recommend freezing this
No! Feel free to use whatever noodles you have on hand and like best.
Absolutely! Just swap out the
Sure, feel free to include any protein you prefer to transform this side dish into a complete meal. Some of our favorite options include shredded chicken and grilled shrimp.
More Pasta Salad Recipes
Looking for more pasta salad recipes that will please even the pickiest crowd? Check out more of our easy and satisfying salads!
- Warm Italian Pasta Salad
- Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
- Pesto Pasta Salad
- Easy Summer Pasta Salad with Fruit
Greek Spaghetti Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Greek Spaghetti Salad:
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles uncooked
- 1 cup Kalamata olives halves
- 2 cups grape tomatoes halved
- 1 cup Persian cucumbers chopped
- 1 orange bell pepper chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1/2 small red onion chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley chopped
- Optional: feta cheese for garnish
Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 sun-dried tomatoes drained from oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 garlic clove
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti to al-dente according to the package instructions. Drain, and set aside.
- Halve the olives and tomatoes. Chop the cucumbers, peppers, and onion.
- Combine the spaghetti, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onion, and parsley in a large mixing bowl.
- In a small blender, add all the ingredients for the dressing. Pulse until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad, and toss to combine, coating all the ingredients.
- Garnish with feta cheese, if desired.
- Serve immediately.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Equipment
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Great meal for my family! Thank you.
Thank you, Suz! We’re so glad you enjoy it. ๐
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
This looks delicious. Will make tomorrow. Have made many of your recipes. All are keepers.
Thank you
Thank you so much, Regina!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
My family loves this recipe! So easy and delicious!
Thank you, Kelli!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa