What goes in a Greek pasta salad?

A traditional Greek pasta salad includes cooked rotini or similar pasta, cherry or grape tomatoes, chopped cucumbers, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. These ingredients mirror the components of a classic Greek salad but add pasta to make it heartier. The dressing is typically a blend of Greek yogurt and mayonnaise, flavored with lemon juice, garlic powder, dried dill, and oregano. Optional additions include red onion slices, banana peppers, or fresh herbs for extra flavor and texture.

What are the main ingredients of a Greek salad?

The core elements of a traditional Greek salad—also known as horiatiki—are tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, kalamata olives, and feta cheese. It’s usually seasoned with oregano and dressed simply with olive oil and a splash of vinegar or lemon juice. Unlike leafy salads, Greek salad doesn’t include lettuce. It’s known for its bold, salty, and tangy flavors and is often served as a refreshing side or starter.

What makes a Greek salad different?

Greek salad stands out because of its simplicity and balance. It avoids heavy dressings and instead uses high-quality olive oil and acid (like lemon juice or vinegar) to enhance the natural flavors. The presence of feta and olives gives it a distinct salty, briny edge that many other salads lack. In a Greek style pasta salad , those same principles apply, but pasta adds substance, and creamy dressing adds a modern twist while preserving that zesty Mediterranean character.

What are the five mistakes to avoid in pasta salad?

Using the wrong pasta shape or overcooking it. Undersalting the pasta water. Adding dressing to hot or too-wet pasta. Using unbalanced dressings that are too oily or heavy. Not letting the salad chill long enough to develop flavor. Avoiding these pitfalls ensures your Greek pasta salad comes out flavorful, fresh, and perfectly textured every time.

Greek Style Pasta Salad – 5 Mistakes to Avoid for Perfect Flavor

Description

Greek style pasta salad combines creamy dressing, tangy feta, and fresh veggies. Perfect for potlucks, meal prep, and Mediterranean flavor lovers.

Ingredients

1 pound rotini pasta
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup kalamata olives, halved
1 English cucumber, chopped
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions. Once done, rinse with cold water and drain thoroughly.
While the pasta cooks, mix the grape tomatoes, olives, and chopped cucumber in a large bowl.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, dill weed, oregano, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Stir in the crumbled feta cheese until evenly combined.
Add the cooled pasta to the vegetable mixture and toss gently to combine.
Pour the creamy dressing over the pasta and vegetables, stirring until everything is well coated.
Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.
Sprinkle additional dill weed on top just before serving for extra flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Pasta and Grain Salads
Method: Boiled and Chilled
Cuisine: Greek-Inspired