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The Ultimate Make-Ahead Greek Pasta Salad with Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette

Close-up of a white bowl filled with colorful greek pasta salad featuring fusilli, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, olives, and feta.
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Prepare this fresh, vibrant Greek pasta salad ahead of time for easy serving at BBQs, picnics, or as a quick lunch. It features traditional Mediterranean flavors and a tangy lemon herb dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini or penne pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 large cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1 cup crumbled Feta cheese
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool completely.
  2. While the pasta cools, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced red onion, and halved Kalamata olives.
  4. Pour the prepared zesty lemon vinaigrette over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Gently fold in the crumbled Feta cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
  6. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld. This salad tastes best when made ahead.

Notes

  • For a higher protein version, add one 15-ounce can of rinsed and drained chickpeas to the salad mixture.
  • If you prefer a creamier texture without mayonnaise, add 1/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt to the dressing mixture.
  • You can substitute rotini with orzo pasta for a different texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savoryskies.com/easy-greek-pasta-salad-recipe/