Greek Pasta Salad

A cold, bright, and delicious Greek pasta salad epitomizes quick summer lunches on the beach or at the pool. Juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers with the homemade vinaigrette bring a mass of flavor. Just mix this easy pasta salad recipe up, refrigerate it until morning, and take it along for all your summer fun.

The prep time for our easy pasta salad is simply the time it takes to boil pasta. That makes it so fast to pull together and keeps heat out of your kitchen.

Ingredients for Greek Pasta Salad

• Israeli Couscous also called pearled couscous. In spite of the name, these are toasted balls of pasta that were invented when rice was scarce in Israel and is not at all a whole grain.
• Grape Tomatoes. You can use red grape tomatoes or one of the heirloom mixes in several colors.
• Cucumbers.  We prefer Persian or English cucumbers.
• Kalamata Olives. Pitted are best.
• Feta Cheese. You may use vegan feta cheese.

Ingredients for the Homemade Greek Salad Dressing

• Red Wine Vinegar. The zippy, tangy, and fruity flavor of this vinegar is perfect for adding bite and zing to your salad.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Don't skimp on quality when you buy EVOO. The flavors of a good quality oil are impeccable and they really come through in this dressing.
• Dijon Mustard. Adds earthiness and body to your dressing.
• Salt and Pepper. To taste. I like to use freshly cracked black pepper in my homemade Greek salad dressing. The flavor is bumped up a notch.
• Oregano. A fresh touch evocative of greek salad.

How To Make Pasta Salad

First, cook your Israeli couscous according to the package instructions. Israeli couscous is not cooked like regular pasta, it cooks more like rice. No need to drain these toasted pasta balls. As with pasta, never rinse it after cooking. Just let it cool before assembling the pasta salad.

Next, mix all of the ingredients for the salad (except feta) together. Mix the dressing separately and then toss it with the salad. Finally, fold the feta gently into the salad to preserve the cubed shape.

How to Store Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Keep your leftover Greek pasta salad in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It will keep for several days but the veggies may become soggy over time as the pasta absorbs more and more of the dressing liquid.

Tips for the Best Greek Pasta Salad

1. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Pasta salad is best when cold. You can also make ahead and cut and refrigerate all of the ingredients and toss it all together a few hours before it's time to serve.
2. Make the pasta salad a couple of hours ahead of time, so all the flavors come together.
3. If you want to make this pasta salad vegan, simply use vegan feta cheese.
4. Traditional Israeli couscous contains semolina wheat flour. You can make this pasta dish gluten-free simply by substituting it with any gluten-free pasta, or bean-based pasta.
5. Cook pasta one or two days ahead to save time on a busy weeknight.

How to Serve Greek Pasta Salad

While it is the ultimate grab-and-go lunch or potluck dish, it is also perfect as a side dish for your summer BBQ. This salad literally tastes like summer! Serve it next to a sandwich like our Mediterranean Vegan Sandwich, hummus wrap, Black Bean Burger, or Grilled Peppers

Greek Pasta Salad Recipe Variations

The Israeli couscous can be replaced with orzo, fusilli or rotini though these will change the texture significantly.

Grape tomatoes can be replaced with cherry tomatoes or summer tomatoes

Crumbled goat cheese or cotija can work in place of feta.

Brown mustard will work in place of Dijon mustard.

In addition to our stated ingredients, you can also add any of the following: pickled red onions, minced garlic, fresh chopped parsley, fresh basil, dried oregano, diced red pepper or bell peppers of various colors, artichokes or artichoke hearts, fresh herbs from your garden, raw veggies, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Greek pasta salad good for?

Mixed Greek pasta salad will last for two or three days in an airtight container.

Can you make Greek Salad the night before?

Yes, but it is best to add the dressing just a few hours before serving the salad.

What is the best pasta for Greek pasta salad?

Israeli Couscous works exceptionally well because it resists becoming soggy.

Should I dress my pasta salad the night before?

I like to wait until just a few hours before serving the salad to give the flavors time to meld without becoming soggy.

Does pasta salad get soggy overnight?

It may not get soggy, but it is a good possibility that the pasta will absorb extra moisture.

More Cold Summer Recipes

• Feta Watermelon Salad
• Easy Pasta Salad
• Asian Cucumber Salad
• Strawberry Spinach Salad with Quinoa