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Chopped Greek Pasta Salad with tangy feta dressing comes together in just 30 minutes. Enjoy this make-ahead pasta salad for cookouts, potlucks, or easy weekday lunches.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love this Chopped Greek Pasta Salad:
This 30 minute pasta salad includes everything there is to love about a traditional Greek salad with a fun twist. It’s perfect for entertaining or make-ahead weekday meals.
What’s not to love about loads of fresh veggies with briny olives, salty feta and zippy vinaigrette dressing? Clearly the Greek Gods knew what they were doing.
Just like my reader-favorite Healthy Creamy Pasta Salad, this one is easy to make and super versatile.
You also have the option of adding tuna, rotisserie chicken, or beans/edamame to pump up the protein.
Similar to this Pesto Tortellini Salad, you can enjoy this Greek pasta salad as the main event or a side dish.
Recipe Ingredients
This recipe is really more of a outline in which you can add or omit any of the ingredients you wish. Here’s what you need:
- Pasta: I like using a smaller shape, such as ditalini or cavatelli (small shells pictured above). This ensures most of the ingredients are similar in size, which is part of the appeal of a “chopped” salad.
- Tomatoes: I suggest using cherry tomatoes, which are in season year round. You need one pint, which you can choose all red or some yellow/orange for a pop of color.
- Olives and Artichokes: All Greek salads need something briny, so I chose black olives and artichokes here. If you prefer, green olives and hearts of palm are also good options.
- Feta: Feta is part of the salad AND the salad dressing here. If you wish to this make this vegan/dairy free, simply omit the feta, or swap it for your favorite plant-based cheese.
- Cucumber: I love the cooling crunch cucumber adds to this salad. I suggest using a seedless English cucumber, which you don’t even have to peel.
- Aromatics: Red onion goes in the salad, and fresh garlic goes in the dressing. These two combined give the salad a zippy, somewhat spicy bite.
For the dressing, you also need extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, and honey. You can choose to blend the dressing in a small blender (I use a Ninja) or just whisk it by hand.
For the full list of the ingredients and amounts, see the recipe card below.
Substitutions/Additions:
- Greek Orzo Salad: Use the same amount of cooked orzo instead of ditalini or cavatelli.
- Greek Chicken Pasta Salad: Add 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken, or about 12 ounces of grilled, sliced chicken breasts.
- Make Gluten Free: Use a chickpea or lentil-based pasta, such as Banza or Barilla brand.
- Make Vegan: Swap the feta cheese for vegan “feta” crumbles, such as Violife brand.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Cook the pasta in a pot of boiling, SALTED water. Once the pasta is al dente, drain, rinse with cold water, and transfer to a large bowl.
Step 2: Prepare the Greek dressing by adding olive oil, vinegar, feta cheese, garlic, oregano, honey, and pepper to a blender. Blend until smooth and homogenous.
Alternatively, you can leave the feta out of the dressing and just whisk the ingredients in a bowl.
Step 3: Combine pasta salad ingredients and toss to combine.
Step 4: Add dressing and herbs and toss well. Garnish the salad with extra herbs, such as basil, parsley, dill or oregano, and serve!
Recipe FAQs:
This Greek pasta salad can be made up to 3 days ahead, and it lasts 5 days total in the fridge.
To rehydrate the noodles after refrigeration, stir in extra olive oil prior to serving. Alternatively, make a double batch of the Greek dressing to add at a later time.
This salad is chockful of veggies and heart-healthy fats from the olives and olive oil. It offers a significant source of lycopene from the tomatoes, vitamin K from the cucumbers, plus a slew of antioxidants.
If you wish to add protein to make it more satiating, I suggest adding a can of drained tuna or shredded rotisserie chicken. If making plant-based, stir in one can of chickpeas or a handful of shelled edamame.
The beauty of this dish is that it goes well with just about ANYTHING. For example, burgers, grilled chicken or fish, sandwiches, or even BBQ.
I personally think it’s cooling, crunchy character is best enjoyed alongside something fresh off the grill. Which is why it’s such a fabulous, crowd-pleasing dish at any potluck or cookout.
More Healthy Pasta Salad Recipes to Try:
If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a pic and tag #dishingouthealth on Instagram so I can see your beautiful creations. Lastly, follow along on Facebook and Pinterest for the latest recipe updates!
Chopped Greek Pasta Salad
Equipment
- Stock pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry pasta (~8 oz.) (Use a small shape, such as ditalini, cavatelli, or small shells)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 3/4 cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts
- 1/2 English cucumber, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup sliced black olives
- 2 to 3 Tbsp. fresh chopped herbs (parsley or dill)
Zesty Feta Dressing
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 Tbsp. crumbled feta cheese
- 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tsp. honey
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 3/4 tsp. cracked black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions, until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and transfer to a large bowl.
- Prepare Zesty Feta Dressing by combining all ingredients in a blender (I use a Ninja) and blending until homogenous.Alternatively, you can just whisk the dressing ingredients in a bowl. Grate the garlic and crumble the feta, and mix with remaining dressing ingredients.
- Add remaining pasta salad ingredients to the bowl with pasta. Add the dressing and toss to combine. Garnish with additional herbs, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
I calculate these values by hand to ensure accuracy, however expect up to a 10% variable depending on food brands.
Super easy and all so very fresh – delicious creamy feta dressing with dill, artichoke hearts and black olives – balanced and flavorFULL -delicious!!
This was a hit with the family! It’s going to be perfect for lunches for the rest of the week.
This was SO delicious!! I have been impressed with all of the recipe I have tried from your site so far. Cheers from Canada!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this one, my friend! Thank you for taking the time to leave a rating and review!
Hi Jamie! This looks so good. Do you think it’d be ok to sub apple cider vinegar for red wine vinegar? It’s just what I already have on hand. Thanks!
Hi Katy – that’s totally fine! Enjoy
This was so yummy and light. I loved the dressing!
Yay so glad you enjoyed it!!
Super yummy!! Loved the feta dressing
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Rachel! Thank you for taking time to leave a review!
This was delicious! I love the light tangy flavour. A great healthy recipe. Thank you
Hi Lorraine, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Thanks for stopping by!
This is lovely for 4th of July cookouts. Could I toss the salad in a Greek dressing?