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Our Greek pasta salad features rigatoni pasta, tomatoes, feta cheese, and red onions tossed in a lemon vinaigrette made with minced garlic and red wine vinegar.
It’s been over 2 years since we posted this recipe. Kim and I felt it was time to revisit it and update the content for our readers.
As you may have already guessed, we love salads! Even simple ones, like our tomato avocado salad. Which, by the way, you have to try; it’s so tasty.
But, let’s stay focused on this Greek pasta salad with a lemon vinaigrette. The name says it all.
A delicious Mediterranean style pasta salad tossed in a citrus vinaigrette.
If you’re looking for a creamy pasta salad, then check out our easy macaroni salad recipe.
How long is Greek pasta salad good for in the fridge?
Usually, you can store a pasta salad, in a sealed container, in your fridge for up to 3 days. However, if you only cover it in plastic wrap, it may go bad after 2 days.
How to make our pasta salad recipe:
First, cook your pasta per the box instructions. Use a colander to drain the pasta and set it aside.
Make sure to run cold water over the noodles and drain the pasta again before setting them aside. This will cool the pasta and stop the cooking process.
After that, halve your olives, thinly slice the red onions, and halve the tomatoes.
How to make a lemon vinaigrette?
Next, to create the vinaigrette grab a medium sized mixing bowl and a small metal whisk.
Use a whisk to combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, black pepper, oregano, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
Now, be sure to mix everything well. Sometimes, I use a mason jar with a lid to create my dressings.
Simply toss everything into the jar, seal it, and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. That’s all there is too it.
Then, in a large mixing bowl, combine the pasta noodles, feta cheese, tomatoes, olives, and red onion.
Last, toss everything together with the lemon dressing and serve.
That’s it, the Greek pasta salad with a lemon vinaigrette is done! Kim and I hope you enjoy the meal and wish you all the best 🙂
Recipe Tips:
- Once the noodles have finished cooking, drain them, then run cold water over them for 60-90 seconds to cool them off. This will stop the cooking process and keep the pasta from becoming gummy and overcooked.
- Due to the salty nature of feta cheese and briny olives, this dish can become “over-salted.” I recommend starting with a teaspoon of salt in the dressing. After everything is tossed together, taste test the dish, then add more salt if needed.
- I see a lot of recipes that call for cucumber and other veggies. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other ingredients.
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Greek Pasta Salad with a Lemon Vinaigrette
Equipment
- Colander
Ingredients
Lemon Vinaigrette
- 1/3 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
- 1/3 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 Cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 Tsp. Sea Salt (or less if you salt your pasta water)
- 1/4 Tsp. Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Tsp. Dried Oregano
- 1 Tblsp. Lemon Zest
- 1 Tblsp. Fresh Lemon Juice
Greek Pasta Salad
- 12 Ounces Dry Rigatoni (or other tube pasta)
- 6 Ounces Feta (crumbled)
- 8 Ounces Cherry or Grape Tomatoes (halved)
- 8 Ounces Kalamata Olives (halved, pitted)
- 2 Ounces Red Onion (thinly sliced)
Instructions
- Cook your pasta per the box instructions. Strain it and set it aside. Slice your olives, red onions, and tomatoes.
- In a medium mixing bowl, make the lemon vinaigrette by whisking together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, oregano, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the noodles, feta cheese, tomatoes, olives, and red onion.
- Toss the pasta salad ingredients with the dressing and serve. Store any leftovers in a sealed container, in your fridge, for up to 3 days.
Christine says
Love easy pasta salads like this, especially during the summer! So yummy. Can’t wait to try this one out!
John says
Thank you, Christine! Kim and I hope you enjoy the pasta salad 🙂
Heather says
This Greek Pasta Salad looks so yummy! Perfect for summer barbecues and great for parties. Simple and perfectly seasoned!
John says
Thank you, Heather! Simple is what I like, start using huge ingredient lists when trying to show someone a new recipe and see how quickly they lose interest lol! Have a great day 🙂
Michelle Blackwood says
With the addition of extra protein this would be a great one pot meal, loving all the flavors in this pasta sald
John says
Thank you, Michelle! Sounds great, a little chicken or steak would be a great addition to the recipe. 🙂
Amanda Mason says
I love greek anything!! And it’s spring going into summer and pasta salad is PERFECT for this time of year! Love the encouragement of using different vegetables!
John says
Thank you, Amanda! One of the great things about cooking is that you can make substitutions that appeal to your tastes. So, in my opinion, go crazy lol!
Veena Azmanov says
I think Pasta Salad is always a winner in summer. Everyone loves a light refreshing and still fulfilling dish like a salad with pasta. I always choose to take pasta salad when I have to bring something for a BBQ Party.
John says
Thank you, Venna! We also enjoy a great pasta salad and usually bring one to get-togethers. Thank you again for commenting, have a great weekend 🙂
Kelli Kerkman says
I love olives – the more recipes that use them, the better! This looks so great for summer picnics.
John says
Thank you, Kelli! Us too, we really enjoyed this recipe. Have a lovely week 🙂
Kate says
What a beautiful pasta salad! And just in time for all those summer picnics! Can’t wait to try it!
John says
Thank you, Kate1 Kim and I hope you decide to make it for a Summer get-together. Have a lovely weekend 🙂
Dominique | Perchance to Cook says
Greek salad was totally meant to be turned into a pasta salad! I can’t believe I have never tried this because it just sounds and looks so good! YUUUM
John says
Thank you, Dominique! Kim and I really enjoyed this recipe. Have a lovely weekend 🙂
Analida @ ethnicspoon.com says
I love any type of Greek salad! In my home town of Panama City we have a Greek restaurant that a very similar salad and I tried to make it. I can’t wait to try yours!
John says
Thank you, Analida! Us too, we always enjoy great Greek food. I would love to give homemade gyros a try, but I haven’t gotten around to making them yet. 🙂
Sam Monaco says
Wow!! I just love this one Kimberly. This will be a must try for us. Love the homemade dressing.
John says
Thank you, Sam! Kim and I are glad you liked the recipe and hope you give it a try 🙂
Sharon says
I would eat this delicious Greek pasta salad all by itself as a meal. It’s so loaded with vegetables and feta goodness I wouldn’t need anything else with it.
John says
Thank you, Sharon! It’s one of my favorite recipes. I hope you decide to make it some time. 🙂
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
When I make this delicious Greek pasta salad for hubby, he is going to do cartwheels in happiness and I’ll be cartwheeling right beside him too! It looks so delicious and full of flavor!!
John says
Thank you, Elaine! It’s one of my favorite recipes to make for Kim and the family. I hope you and your husband enjoy the pasta salad 🙂