This Greek Pasta Salad is loaded with fresh vegetables, chickpeas, Kalamata olives, feta, and a zesty homemade Greek dressing. Perfect for meal prep, picnics, and summer gatherings. Video.

If you surrender to the wind, you can ride it. ~ Toni Morrison

Greek Pasta Salad is filled with fresh, crunchy veggies and zesty herbs with just enough pasta to complement and soak up the delicious Greek Salad Dressing. I love how orzo pasta doesn’t take up a lot of space in the salad. It just adds to it without stealing the show. You can add feta or keep it vegan.

Susan Says:

I've made this so many times, and it is always a hit. I wouldn't change a thing. Perfection!

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What Makes This Greek Pasta Salad Different?

This Greek Pasta Salad starts with everything you love about a classic Greek salad-crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, Kalamata olives, oregano, lemon, and creamy feta-but turns it into a hearty, satisfying meal. Tender orzo and protein-rich chickpeas make it substantial enough for lunch or dinner, while a bright homemade Greek dressing keeps it light, fresh, and full of Mediterranean flavor.

Why you’ll love this Greek Pasta Salad

Fresh and full of Mediterranean flavor - Crisp vegetables, briny olives, creamy feta, and a bright homemade dressing make every bite vibrant and satisfying.

Perfect for meal prep - This salad holds up beautifully in the refrigerator, making it ideal for weekday lunches and easy grab-and-go meals.

A complete meal - Chickpeas add plant-based protein and fiber, turning this into a hearty lunch or light dinner.

Great for entertaining - Perfect for picnics, potlucks, barbecues, and summer gatherings because it travels well and feeds a crowd.

Easy to customize - Swap the pasta shape, add grilled chicken or shrimp, or toss in extra vegetables to make it your own.

orzo pasta and vegetables for the salad

Greek Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients

  • Pasta - Orzo is my favorite for this salad, but any small pasta shape works beautifully.
  • Fresh vegetables - Cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion add crisp texture, vibrant color, and classic Greek salad flavor.
  • Chickpeas - Add plant-based protein and fiber, making this pasta salad hearty enough for lunch or a light dinner.
  • Kalamata olives - Bring their signature briny, Mediterranean flavor.
  • Fresh herbs - Parsley adds freshness while basil or mint make a wonderful optional garnish.
  • Feta cheese - Creamy sheep’s milk feta adds rich, tangy flavor. Leave it out for a delicious vegan version.
  • Greek dressing - Olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper create a bright, zesty homemade dressing.

How to make Greek Pasta Salad

Step 1: Cook the pasta. Orzo takes about 6 minutes to boil in water. Salting the cooking water will heighten the flavor immensely!

Ingredients for the dressing

Step 2: Make the dressing. We make the Greek Salad Dressing right off the bat. Using dried oregano gives a more zesty punch to the dressing.

 

greek salad dressing

This is a great dressing to double up on. You’ll be happy to see it in your fridge. It is so very versatile! Not only great for pasta salads, but also perfect for green and vegetable salads and as a marinade for chicken. It keeps for at least 2 weeks refrigerated.

In a bowl add onions and dressing first

Step 3: Chop the veggies. We marinate the diced onions in the vinaigrette first to mellow them and follow with the veggies as we chop them. Bell peppers, chickpeas and olives all get a jump on soaking up flavor from the dressing before adding the pasta.

Add veggies to the dressing as you chop them

Step 4:  Combine. Add in cooked orzo pasta, more dressing and cubed feta cheese (if using). Mix to combine.

This healthy Greek Pasta Salad is the perfect make-ahead pasta salad for summertime picnics, bbqs, potlucks and easy dinners.  A hearty ratio of fresh veggies combined with tender orzo pasta, chickpeas tossed in the tastiest Greek salad dressing.#greekpastasalad

Step 5:  Adjust the flavor. Taste and adjust flavor adding more dressing, salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon if needed. Add fresh basil and mint just before serving.

This healthy Greek Pasta Salad is the perfect make-ahead pasta salad for summertime picnics, bbqs, potlucks and easy dinners.  A hearty ratio of fresh veggies combined with tender orzo pasta, chickpeas tossed in the tastiest Greek salad dressing.#greekpastasalad

Storage And Make Ahead

Make ahead: Greek Pasta Salad is an excellent make-ahead recipe. Prepare it up to 1 day ahead, allowing the flavors to meld before serving.

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Refreshing leftovers: The pasta will absorb some of the dressing as it sits. Before serving, toss with a drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or a splash of red wine vinegar to brighten the flavors. Add fresh herbs just before serving for the best flavor and color.

Serving suggestions

Serve as a vegetarian main dish, along with a chilled summer soup like our Gazpacho or Cucumber soup! Or serve alongside a summer sandwich, like our Vegan BLT or Vegetarian Souvlaki! Or pair this with our grilled chicken, Greek chicken meatballs, or this cedar-planked salmon.

It makes a lovely picnic lunch with a slice of our Blackberry Pie for dessert! Serve for 4th of July with some of our other favorite 4th of July recipes!

More Favorite Pasta Salad Recipes

You may also want to check out more of our classic salad dressing recipes or pasta recipes!

Greek Pasta Salad Video

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This healthy Greek Pasta Salad is the perfect make-ahead pasta salad for summertime picnics, bbqs, potlucks and easy dinners.  A hearty ratio of fresh veggies combined with tender orzo pasta, chickpeas tossed in the tastiest Greek salad dressing.

Best Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 40 reviews
  • Author: Tonia Schemmel | Feasting at Home
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 minutes
  • Total Time: 31 minutes
  • Yield: 8 cups 1x
  • Category: pasta salad, salad
  • Method: Stove top
  • Cuisine: Mediteranean
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

This healthy Greek Pasta Salad is the perfect make-ahead pasta salad for summertime picnics, BBQs, potlucks, and easy dinners.  A hearty ratio of fresh veggies combined with tender orzo pasta, chickpeas tossed in the tastiest Greek salad dressing.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Greek Pasta Salad

  • 8–10 ounces dry pasta (orzo or other small pasta)
  • 1/4 red onion, about 1/3 cup, diced small
  • 1 red bell pepper (or 1/2 red, 1/2 green), chopped small
  • 2 tablespoons fresh oregano or 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 15 oz can chickpeas, 1 1/2 cups, drained
  • 1/3 cup kalamata olives, sliced
  • 2 cups thin skinned cucumber, chopped small
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup basil and/or mint for garnish if desired
  • 6–8 oz feta cheese (sheep’s feta is the best!), optional

Greek Salad Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 2 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup olive oil

Instructions

  1. Cook the orzo pasta according to the package directions in salted water.  Drain and rinse with cool water and set aside.
  2. Make the dressing by whisking together red wine vinegar, lemon juice, dijon mustard, garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.  Drizzle in olive oil, whisking all the while to emulsify.
  3. Add diced red onions and a 1/2 cup of the vinaigrette to a large bowl.  Allowing them to marinate while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
  4. Add bell peppers next along with oregano, chickpeas, and kalamata olives.
  5. Add cucumbers, tomatoes and parsley.  Toss altogether.  Add in cooked orzo pasta, 1/4 cup more of dressing and cubed feta cheese (if using).  Gently mix.
  6. Taste and adjust flavor adding more dressing, salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon if needed.

Toss with basil and mint just before serving.

Notes

Add red pepper flakes if desired.

Salad will keep up to 4 days in the fridge.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 698.4 mg
  • Fat: 17.2 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26.9 g
  • Fiber: 4.8 g
  • Protein: 9 g
  • Cholesterol: 18.9 mg

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Comments

  2. Excellent salad, I used GF orzo and half red half orange bell peppers + Israeli feta(sheep’s milk) from Trader Joe’s(delicious).
    It got rave reviews from my room mates

    Reply

  4. Delicious Greek pasta salad, especially on a hot hot August afternoon! Diced up some of my son’s home-grown green peppers which made the salad extra special!
    Will make this again & again!

    Reply

  5. Easy to make and can do lots of modifications if you’d like. I made lots of dressing and used it to marinate chicken as well.

    Reply

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