Greek pasta salad

Greek pasta salad

15 min
Let your taste buds sail to the sunny Mediterranean with our Greek pasta salad, a refreshing salad bursting with the bold colours and flavours of Greece. It blends whole wheat pasta with crisp vegetables, sharp white cheese, and rich kalamata olives. Zesty red wine vinegar tops it off, ensuring every bite is full of vibrant flavour. Ideal for picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing lunch, this recipe is sure to win over any crowd.
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Instructions

  • Cook pasta until al dente and rinse under cold water.
  • Dice peppers, onion, and cucumber into bite-size pieces. Halve the tomatoes.
  • Combine pasta and vegetables in a large bowl with white cheese. Add about half of the oil from the cheese jar.
  • Add vinegar, salt, and pepper, toss and serve.
Enjoy!

FAQ: Questions about Greek pasta salad

Make a delightful Greek pasta salad with our straightforward answers to some commonly asked questions.

Can I prepare Greek Pasta salad in advance?
Yes, you can prepare Greek pasta salad ahead of time. It is perfect for making in advance, as you can store it in the fridge for up to four days. For the best flavour, chill it for at least two hours before serving. This rest time allows the different flavours to combine well. If you want to prepare it in advance, you can chop all the vegetables and cook the pasta the night before. Keep the prepped items in separate sealed containers in the fridge.
How to store Greek pasta salad?
For freshness, put your Greek pasta salad in an airtight container and refrigerate it. Stored this way, the salad stays fresh for three to four days. However, it is best to enjoy it within the first two days to get the full flavours and crisp texture of the vegetables. If the salad looks a bit dry after refrigeration, a sprinkle of extra virgin olive oil can revive it. This adds moisture and brings back the bold Mediterranean flavours. Mix the salad well after adding the oil to coat all the ingredients. 

Ingredients

Whole wheat pasta
600 ml
Red onion
1
Green pepper
1
Red pepper
1
Cucumber
½
Cherry tomatoes
200 g
Kalamata olives
100 ml
Apetina® Original White Cheese In Brine with sun-dried tomatoes in oil
200 g
Red wine vinegar
50 ml
Salt and black pepper to taste
Other recipes
See more

Tips: Enhancing your Greek pasta salad

Join us as we uncover the essentials of Greek cuisine and take your salad-making skills to impressive new levels with this recipe for Greek pasta salad. Read our tips below to make the best salad.

Al dente pasta

To make a standout Greek pasta salad, cook your whole wheat pasta until it is al dente. This means it should be tender but still have a firm bite. Once it is cooked, cool it quickly under cold water to get the texture right and prevent the pasta from going soft. This stops the cooking instantly and keeps the pasta from clumping, ensuring it is ready to mix with the zesty vinegar and other salad ingredients.

Chill the salad

For the best flavour, chill your Greek pasta salad in the fridge for at least two hours before serving. This allows the vinegar and oil from the white cheese to soak into the pasta and vegetables, creating a rich and enjoyable flavour.

Enjoy a refreshing and flavourful Greek pasta salad

Allow us to present you with a recipe that will whisk your taste buds away to the Mediterranean. Whole wheat pasta, crisp vegetables, salty white cheese, and rich olives come together under tangy red wine vinegar for a refreshing and satisfying meal. But this Greek pasta salad is not just a delight for the palate, it also stuns with its vibrant colours and varied shapes. So, try our recipe and bring some Mediterranean charm to your table.

With cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, peppers, red onion, and white cheese

The salad celebrates Mediterranean flavours with vibrant colours and refreshing flavours. Cherry tomatoes offer a sweet note, complementing the savoury sharpness of white cheese with sun-dried tomatoes. The cheese introduces a creamy texture that harmonises with the briny kalamata olives. The crisp cucumbers and crunchy sweet peppers provide a refreshing contrast, highlighting the lighter notes of the Greek pasta salad.

Zesty kick from red wine vinegar

The distinctive zing of red wine vinegar in this Greek pasta salad enhances the natural flavours of the vegetables and introduces a delightful tang that balances the creamy richness of the cheese. The carefully measured splash of vinegar gives each forkful a bright and lively finish that will have you reaching for seconds. The acidity of the vinegar also provides a perfect counterpoint to the salty depth of the olives.

Add a Greek flair to parties, picnics, and putlocks

Maybe you are hosting a dinner party, attending a picnic, or contributing to a potluck. No matter the occasion, this Greek pasta salad is the perfect dish to impress. It is a hassle-free choice for any event because it is easy to prepare and can be done in just 15 minutes. The ingredients hold up well and ensure your salad remains delicious, even after several hours. So, bring a bowl of this Mediterranean marvel to your next gathering and watch it disappear in a matter of minutes.

For more ideas, browse our selection of salad recipes, including a delicious pearl couscous salad, tender grilled salmon salad, and fresh spinach potato salad.

Ideas for varying the recipe

Embrace the variety of Mediterranean cuisine by adding more flavourful ingredients to your Greek pasta salad. Add artichokes for their tender, nutty flavour, sun-dried tomatoes for a rich umami kick, or capers for a sharp, distinctive flavour. Different cheeses, such as creamy goat or smooth mozzarella, add texture and enrich the salad.

You can also choose from a range of different pasta shapes. Popular choices include fusilli, farfalle, and penne, which are all excellent as they each bring a distinctive texture and look to the salad.

You can also try adding grilled chicken breast chunks. This makes the salad more filling and complements the Mediterranean flavours beautifully. Alternatively, cooked chickpeas can be included. They offer a satisfying texture and enhance the overall heartiness of the salad, making it perfect for a meal in itself.

A lemon and herb vinaigrette can be a refreshing change on the dressing side. Mixing olive oil with lemon juice, minced garlic, and fresh herbs such as oregano and basil brings a bright and aromatic touch. For those who prefer something creamier, a Greek yoghurt dressing can be ideal. Blending Greek yoghurt with garlic, lemon juice, and a mix of herbs creates a rich, creamy dressing that still feels light and fits perfectly with the fresh, crisp ingredients of the salad.

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