Description
This Greek pasta salad is a fresh, easy recipe packed with Mediterranean flavor—perfect for summer lunches, meal prep, or bringing to a backyard gathering.
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon salt + 2 twists black pepper
For the Salad:
- 8 ounces short pasta (casarecce, fusilli, penne, or orzo)
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas or 1½ cups cooked chickpeas – optional
- 1 small cucumber, diced
- 1½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ green bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup kalamata olives, halved if large
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup feta, crumbled
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, or dill
Instructions
1. Whisk ¼ cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ¾ teaspoon salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
2. Add chickpeas to the bowl and let them marinate while prepping the rest.
3. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
4. Chop cucumber, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, olives, red onion, and parsley. Add to the bowl with chickpeas.
5. Crumble in the feta cheese.
6. Add cooled pasta to the bowl and toss everything together.
7. Chill before serving for best flavor.
Notes
Salt your pasta water well for the best flavor.
Cook pasta al dente to prevent sogginess.
Rinse pasta to cool it quickly for cold salad.
Let chickpeas marinate in the dressing to absorb flavor.
Use fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or mint for brightness.
Crush some feta into the dressing for extra creaminess.
Chop all veggies into bite-sized pieces for even mixing.
Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Taste and adjust seasoning just before serving.
Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 4
- Calories: 592
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 1721mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 67g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 46mg