This creamy Greek-style pasta salad combines tender pasta, fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a luscious yogurt and dill dressing. It's a refreshing and flavorful dish that's perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light summer meal.
This Greek-style pasta salad combines the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with a creamy yogurt and dill dressing, making it a refreshing and delicious choice for any occasion. The mix of tender pasta, fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and tangy feta cheese creates a perfect balance of taste and texture.
And if you are looking for more salad recipes to try this summer, be sure to check out some of my other popular recipes. My authentic German pasta salad offers a hearty and flavorful option, while my dill pickle potato salad adds a zesty twist to a classic German potato salad. For a lighter option, my herbed potato salad with mustard vinaigrette has a fresh and aromatic taste that pairs perfectly with any meal.
Creamy Greek-Style Pasta Salad Ingredients
To make this creamy Greek-style pasta salad you'll need the following ingredients:
- Pasta: Fusilli or rotini work best for this recipe as they have the perfect shape for the creamy yogurt dressing.
- Cherry tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes work best as they are sweet and juicy, making them a great option for this pasta salad.
- Cucumber: I recommend using Persian cucumbers but feel free to use regular cucumbers if you prefer them. I just love Persian cucumbers as they are crisp and have a delicious taste.
- Red onion: Red onion is perfect to add flavor without being overly strong.
- Kalamata olives: I recommend using Kalamata olives for the best flavor but feel free to pick another type of olive if you prefer it.
- Feta: Feta cheese adds a zingy taste and creaminess to this creamy Greek-style pasta salad.
To make the creamy herb yogurt dressing you'll need the following ingredients:
- Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt or plain yogurt is used to make the dressing light and slightly zesty. I recommend using some type of plain yogurt that has at least 2% fat.
- Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise brings the dressing together and adds some creaminess, so be sure to add some to this salad!
- Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard adds some flavor and is perfect for yogurt-based salad dressings.
- Fresh herbs: I recommend using a combination of parsley, dill, and chives. It makes the salad super flavorful and aromatic.
- Lemon: Lemon juice adds some zest and thins the dressings slightly. I recommend sticking to lemons but feel free to use white wine vinegar if you don't have lemons at hand.
- Garlic (optional): If you love garlic, definitely feel free to add some to the dressing! It's not needed but makes it taste extra delicious.
How to make this creamy Greek-style pasta salad
Cook the pasta. First, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Then drain and set aside to let the pasta cool. Feel free to rinse the pasta with cold water.
Prepare the dressing. Next, add the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, dill, parsley, chives, garlic, salt, and pepper to a large mixing bowl. Stir until combined.
Combine. Now add the pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese to the same bowl. Toss until combined.
Serve. Check the seasoning of the salad and add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to taste. Garnish with more fresh herbs, serve, and enjoy!
Tips & Notes
- Make sure that the Greek yogurt has at least 2% fat and that it's creamy. Most of the time, low-fat Greek yogurt is quite thick and is not suitable for a dressing like this. Make sure that it has enough fat to be creamy and flavorful.
- If you prefer less yogurt, feel free to replace some of it with mayo. Usually, I find that a dressing made with half yogurt and half mayo tastes best. For this recipe, I use slightly more Greek yogurt as I love its flavor with the other ingredients in this recipe. If you prefer more mayo, feel free to replace some of the Greek yogurt with it.
- Add a bit of spice with red pepper flakes. Red pepper flakes are an incredibly delicious addition to this salad for a bit more spice. So feel free to add some!
- Store the salad and dressing separately if you want to prepare this creamy Greek-style pasta salad ahead of time. Otherwise, some of the vegetables may get soggy and the dressing won't be as creamy anymore.
How to serve this creamy Greek-style pasta salad
- Prepare your favorite type of protein and serve it alongside this salad. You could make air fryer chicken breast, air fryer cajun wings, chicken patties, or parmesan crusted chicken to serve alongside this creamy Greek-style pasta salad!
- Prepare more salads and other vegetable sides to enjoy them together. It's something that I love to do so that I can have different delicious salads and flavors during one meal. Plus, you can store the leftover salads in your refrigerator to enjoy them throughout the week. My favorites are my kisir (Turkish bulgur salad), Turkish-style dill potato salad, and sumac onions. They taste great even if you store them for a few days in your refrigerator.
- Roast your favorite vegetables and serve them alongside this creamy Greek-style pasta salad. I love to roast some cauliflower, asparagus, bell pepper, or broccoli to serve alongside this salad!
Frequently Asked Questions
The creamy Greek-style pasta salad tastes fresh and tangy with a creamy yogurt and dill dressing, complemented by crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, salty Kalamata olives, and tangy feta cheese. It's a refreshing and satisfying dish, perfectly balanced in flavors.
Sure! Just use your favorite gluten-free pasta to make this pasta salad. All of the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Yes, just store the dressing and salad separately as the vegetables can become soggy. When you are ready to serve it, combine the dressing and salad.
I usually rinse the pasta to make it cool quickly. If you accidentally overcooked the pasta, then make sure to rinse it with cold water to keep it from continuing to cook.
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days. To meal prep, I recommend storing the dressing and salad separately.
More refreshing and delicious salad recipes
I just love a simple and refreshing salad on warm and sunny days! If you are looking for more salads to try, feel free to check out the following recipes.
- German Pasta Salad
- Dill Pickle Egg Salad
- Herbed Mustard Potato Salad
- Dill Pickle Potato Salad
- Italian-Style Pasta Salad
Creamy Greek-Style Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 8 ounces fusilli
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 Persian cucumber halved and sliced
- ½ red onion finely diced
- ½ cup sliced Kalamata olives
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Dressing Ingredients
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt 2%-fat or more
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice more to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped dill
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons sliced chives
- 1-2 garlic cloves (optional) minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- First, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Then drain and set aside. Let the pasta cool for a few minutes. Feel free to rinse the pasta with cold water.8 ounces fusilli
- In the meantime, whisk together all dressing ingredients in a large mixing bowl.¾ cup Greek yogurt, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 tablespoons chopped dill, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, 1-2 garlic cloves (optional), salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons sliced chives
- To the dressing bowl, add the pasta and remaining salad ingredients. Toss until combined.1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1 Persian cucumber, ½ red onion, ½ cup sliced Kalamata olives, ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- Check the seasoning and adjust to taste. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer a creamier dressing, feel free to use half mayo and half yogurt. To keep the salad lighter, I used more yogurt for this recipe.
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