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Fresh Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives

Fresh Greek Pasta Salad - featured image
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A quick and easy Greek pasta salad featuring rotini, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and a bright lemon-oregano dressing, perfect for summer meals and picnics.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz rotini or your favorite short pasta (penne or fusilli work well too)
  • 6 oz block feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano or 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz of rotini and cook according to package instructions (about 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber, finely chop red onion (optional: soak in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce sharpness), and crumble feta cheese.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. While pasta is still warm, add it to a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over and toss gently to coat. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if the salad seems dry.
  5. Fold in Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Sprinkle crumbled feta on top and gently toss just to combine without breaking up the cheese too much.
  6. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. It can be served immediately if short on time.

Notes

Avoid over-salting because feta and olives add saltiness. Toss pasta while warm to absorb dressing better. For creamier texture, add Greek yogurt or a splash of red wine vinegar. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Can be made dairy-free or gluten-free by swapping ingredients.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek pasta salad, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, summer salad, easy pasta salad, Mediterranean salad, rotini pasta, lemon dressing

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/fresh-greek-pasta-salad-with-feta-and-olives-easy-homemade-recipe-for-summer/