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Fresh Greek Pasta Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing

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A refreshing and easy Greek pasta salad featuring crisp vegetables and a silky creamy feta dressing, perfect for quick lunches or summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces short pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced (optional)
  • 6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
  2. While pasta cooks, dice cucumber, halve cherry tomatoes, thinly slice red onion (soak in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce sharpness), halve Kalamata olives, and dice green bell pepper if using. Pat vegetables dry with paper towels.
  3. In a food processor or blender, combine crumbled feta cheese, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, and Greek yogurt. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with all the prepared vegetables. Pour the creamy feta dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat evenly, being careful not to bruise the vegetables.
  5. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or dill over the salad for garnish. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

Rinsing the pasta under cold water stops cooking and prevents sticking. Soaking red onions in cold water mellows their sharpness. If the dressing thickens after chilling, stir in a teaspoon or two of water or olive oil to loosen it. The salad tastes better after chilling for at least 30 minutes. Use gluten-free pasta or dairy-free feta and yogurt for dietary adaptations.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek pasta salad, creamy feta dressing, summer salad, easy pasta salad, healthy lunch, vegetarian salad

Find it online: https://savoryrecipes.info/fresh-greek-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-creamy-feta-dressing-guide/