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    Home » Recipes » Salad Recipes

    Creamy Greek Pasta Salad

    Published: June 16, 2020 Updated: May 25, 2022 / By: Dawn | Girl Heart Food 54 Comments

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    Close-up of a dish of creamy Greek pasta salad.

    Looking for a delicious gluten-free pasta salad to add to your menu? Try this creamy Greek pasta salad! It’s loaded with perfectly cooked rotini, crunchy veggies, flavourful feta and olives and tossed in the most amazing yogurt dressing. Great for those summer barbecues and picnics!

    Close-up of a dish of creamy Greek pasta salad.

    Hi friends!

    Now that we are full swing ahead into the warmer months, I’m all about easy recipes that require little fuss but still provide tons of flavour.

    I’ve always enjoyed pasta salad. Well, I’ve always loved pasta or, um, carbs. 

    This gluten-free pasta salad is just that.

    I remember years ago when hubby and I were only teenagers, going to university, we would often visit the food court at the mall for a little nosh. There was this pizza place where we would love to grab a slice and a big serving of pasta salad. Boy, did I love that place.

    These days, I opt to make my own pasta salad and this one is on regular rotation, especially this time of year.

    Dish of creamy Greek pasta salad on top of a checkered tea towel.

    Creamy Greek Salad Dressing

    Instead of purely oil or mayo, this pasta salad is tossed with a creamy yogurt dressing.

    It’s primarily Greek yogurt (or use Skyr yogurt) along with lots of freshly squeezed lemon juice, olive oil and seasonings (like dill and oregano).

    This yogurt dressing is herbaceous and totally dill forward (which I love). Also delicious on baked potatoes!

    Bowl of creamy yogurt dressing with a small whisk dunked into it.

    Can I Use Another Pasta?

    Definitely!

    Rotini pasta was used here, but you can use a similar sized noodle, like penne, fusilli or cavatappi.

    Tip: Allow your pasta to cool before dressing. Place drained pasta on a baking tray with a tiny bit of olive oil and allow it to cool or rinse and drain with cold water.

    Tip: Cook your pasta a little more than “al dente” as it will firm up a little when cool.

    Close-up of a dish of creamy Greek pasta salad with a spoon dunked into the salad.

    Tips and Variations

    • Like most pasta salads, this will firm up a little in the fridge. Before enjoying, remove from the fridge for a little bit (about 10 to 15 minutes or so) so it gets a little more lush again.
    • Don’t need this to be a gluten-free pasta salad? Use your favourite regular variety.
    • If you like more (or less) of a particular ingredient, simply adjust to taste.
    • To reduce some of the pungency of your red onion, give the sliced onion a little rinse/drain under cold water before adding to your salad.
    • Remove the seeds from your cucumber (so it doesn’t water down your pasta salad).
    • This recipe yields quite a bit. You can easily reduce if you are feeding fewer people.
    Two halves of cucumber on a blue plate with the interior seeds scooped out with a spoon.

    More Summer Salads

    • Mediterranean Pesto Pasta Salad
    • Potato Salad
    • Mixed Green Salad With Fruit
    • Easy 7 Layer Salad

    I hope this Greek pasta salad makes an appearance on your picnic table this summer season. You’re going to love it!

    If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!

    This creamy Greek pasta salad recipe was originally published in May of 2017 but has been updated.

    Dish of creamy Greek pasta salad on top of a checkered tea towel.

    Creamy Greek Pasta Salad

    Dawn | Girl Heart Food
    Looking for a delicious gluten free pasta salad to add to your menu? Try this creamy Greek pasta salad! It's loaded with perfectly cooked rotini, crunchy veggies, flavourful feta and olives and tossed in the most amazing yogurt dressing. Great for those summer barbecues and picnics!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 321 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    Creamy Dressing

    • 1 cup Greek yogurt
    • ½ cup lemon juice, juiced (from about 3 lemons)
    • ⅓ cup olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
    • ½ to 1 teaspoon dried dill (dill weed), depending on how much dill flavour you like
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • ¼ crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste

    Greek Pasta Salad

    • 12 ounces dried gluten-free rotini pasta, about a 340 gram box or ¾ pound
    • 1 small red bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
    • 1 small green bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
    • ½ large English cucumber, sliced in half, seeds removed and cut into bite-sized pieces (about 1.5 cups)
    • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
    • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
    • ½ cup black olives, pitted and sliced
    • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
    • Chopped fresh dill leaves or oregano leaves, garnish to taste (optional)

    Instructions

    Creamy Dressing

    • In a bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, dill, garlic, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Pour over pasta salad, stirring in to coat everything. Set aside.

    Pasta

    • Cook rotini pasta per package instructions, about 1 to 2 more minutes than al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water. Drain again.

    Assemble the Salad With Dressing

    • In a large bowl, stir together the pasta, bell peppers, cucumber, grape tomatoes, red onion and olives.
    • Add crumbled feta and pour over the creamy dressing. Stir to combine everything.
    • Garnish with some fresh dill or oregano if you like. Serve and enjoy!
      Note: Enjoy immediately or store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3 to 4 days.

    Notes

    • Like most pasta salads, this will firm up a little in the fridge. Before enjoying, remove from the fridge for a little bit (about 10 to 15 minutes or so) so it gets a little more lush again.
    • Don’t need this to be a gluten-free pasta salad? Use your favourite regular variety.
    • To reduce some of the pungency of your red onion, give the sliced onion a little rinse and drain under cold water before adding to your salad.
    • Remove the seeds from your cucumber (so it doesn’t water down your pasta salad).
    • This recipe yields quite a bit. You can easily reduce if you are feeding fewer people.

    Nutrition (estimate only)

    Nutrition Facts
    Creamy Greek Pasta Salad
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    321
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    16
    g
    25
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    5
    g
    31
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    18
    mg
    6
    %
    Sodium
     
    666
    mg
    29
    %
    Potassium
     
    177
    mg
    5
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    37
    g
    12
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    4
    g
    4
    %
    Protein
     
    10
    g
    20
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    611
    IU
    12
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    29
    mg
    35
    %
    Calcium
     
    135
    mg
    14
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Based on 1 serving.
    Nutrition information provided is an estimate only.

    Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

    Keyword gluten free pasta salad, rotini pasta salad, summer salad

    Tried this recipe?

    If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!

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    © Girl Heart Food Inc. All photographs and content are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marissa

      June 22, 2020 at 1:16 pm

      5 stars
      I do love a good pasta salad, Dawn. This one looks so creamy and fabulous…love all of those Greek flavors!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        July 02, 2020 at 8:56 am

        Thank you! We love it too!

        Reply
    2. ChefMimi

      June 22, 2020 at 10:52 am

      A really nice pasta salad. I can almost see this served chilled, even though i serve most of mine at least at room temperature. Great picnic food. Love the dressing!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        July 02, 2020 at 8:55 am

        Thanks so much! It’s always a favourite!

        Reply
    3. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop

      June 19, 2020 at 11:20 pm

      5 stars
      What a great twist on a pasta salad! I love all the Greek flavors. This would be perfect for summertime barbecues! 🙂

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        July 02, 2020 at 8:54 am

        Thanks Kathy! I think so too. 🙂

        Reply
    4. David @ Spiced

      June 17, 2020 at 9:48 am

      5 stars
      Oh, I am totally craving this pasta salad now, Dawn! My mother-in-law makes an Italian version that I would have to say is one of my top 3 all-time favorite summer recipes. But the Greek spin on this one sounds delicious. I’m thinking a scoop of this pasta salad next to a good grilled backyard burger (and a cold beer, of course) would be a pretty darned awesome summer meal!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        July 02, 2020 at 8:48 am

        That’s awesome! Thanks David!

        Reply
    5. Alex

      June 17, 2020 at 3:53 am

      5 stars
      The flavours in this are absolutely delicious, Dawn! I love that this is a good GF and veto option, too!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        July 02, 2020 at 8:48 am

        Thank you Alex!!

        Reply
    6. Sarah @ Champagne Tastes

      June 05, 2017 at 1:14 pm

      I only recently decided that I like cold pasta salad, and it was after eating a Greek one like this!!! It looks SO YUMMMMMM!!!! I need to make this for lunch today!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        June 05, 2017 at 1:28 pm

        Yay! Hope you love it, Sarah 🙂

        Reply
    7. Girl Heart Food

      June 02, 2017 at 9:16 am

      Thank you very much Marissa! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend 🙂

      Reply
    8. Adina

      June 01, 2017 at 4:32 pm

      There is no grill party without a pasta salad around here. Never ever! This is a great one to make soon.

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        June 01, 2017 at 7:47 pm

        I agree, Adina 🙂 !! Thanks so much!

        Reply
      • Ben | Havocinthekitchen

        June 16, 2020 at 10:05 pm

        I’m a huge pasta salads fan, and this Greek-inspired version right up my alley. Also, I don’t like those pasta salads loaded with a mayo dressing. So guess what? You’ve created a perfect pasta salad to my liking!

        Reply
        • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

          July 02, 2020 at 8:48 am

          Happy to hear it! Thanks Ben!

          Reply
    9. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen

      June 01, 2017 at 10:10 am

      This salad is totally up my alley Dawn! I love all the textures and that creamy oregano dressing sounds amazing. I’m always looking for new pasta salad sides for the summer! This one will surely be making an appearance! Pinned! Thanks for sharing Dawn! Hope you have another great weekend of grilling ahead!

      Reply
    10. cindy

      May 31, 2017 at 7:16 pm

      Yes, the 3-day weekend was great. We are prepping to sell our home, so it has been nothing short of chaotic, but onward and upward as it goes on the market tomorrow. This seems like a great meal in and of itself as we are trying to use the kitchen less these days! Keeping this one close by in my recipe drawer.

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        June 01, 2017 at 10:35 am

        I can only imagine!! Exciting, though, I’m sure! Good luck with it! Have a great weekend, Cindy 🙂

        Reply
    11. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

      May 31, 2017 at 6:24 pm

      Sorry I’m a little late to commenting, Dawn! That extended weekend is a killer for productivity!! 😉 You can’t do summer without a pasta salad (or 5,000), so I’m definitely in need of a vat of this Greek flavor bomb! I could seriously make a meal out of this, easy! Cheers, doll!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        June 01, 2017 at 10:33 am

        No worries girl :)! Thanks so much! Hope you have a lovely upcoming weekend!

        Reply
    12. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop

      May 31, 2017 at 9:24 am

      I love pasta too! I don’t make pasta salads very often though….I need to change that quickly! This looks packed full of flavor. I love all the healthy veggies you’ve added too! This looks like a winner!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        May 31, 2017 at 12:27 pm

        Thank you Kathy! It’s a great one for summer 🙂

        Reply
    13. Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness

      May 31, 2017 at 12:29 am

      Oh man, I love Greek pasta salad! I made it not too long ago and was reminded that I’m a big fan. I love the sound of your Greek yogurt dressing!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        May 31, 2017 at 9:07 am

        Thanks Nicole; the dressing is definitely on the lighter side 🙂

        Reply
    14. heather (delicious not gorgeous)

      May 30, 2017 at 7:10 pm

      carbs are the best! even though i think it’s weird to pair carbs with carbs (i love spaghetti and garlic bread but i still don’t understand the point of serving them together lol). anyways, all that tangy greek yogurt and lemon juice sounds like a good way to make the dressing taste lighter and feel more summer-ready!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        May 31, 2017 at 9:06 am

        Agreed 😉 Can’t go wrong with carbs if you ask me! Thanks Heather!

        Reply
    15. Ashika | Gardening Foodie

      May 30, 2017 at 3:28 pm

      OH WOW Dawn, this Greek Pasta Salad looks amazing and reading through the ingredients, everything is so fresh and seasonal. I love that you used Greek yoghurt in this recipe…so much lower in calories.
      Best news is, I love this recipe because I am vegetarian…worst news is, it is Winter here in South Africa but no matter how cold it is, it is not going to stop me from making this tomorrow?!!!! LOVE IT.

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        May 30, 2017 at 5:58 pm

        Thank you SO much, Ashika!! The Greek yogurt definitely lightens things up 🙂 Hope you love it!

        Reply
    16. karrie @ Tasty Ever After

      May 30, 2017 at 2:48 pm

      I eat stuff all the time that I used to love when I was younger and it never tastes as good as I remember it. Disappointing for sure!
      I make a Greek pasta salad that J loves and he keeps telling me to put the recipe up, but I keep forgetting. Next time I make it, I’ll have to try your recipe instead 🙂

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        May 30, 2017 at 5:56 pm

        So awful, isn’t it? Least we can make it better at home, though! You need to put your recipe up, girl! I’m sure it’s fantastic :)!! Thanks Karrie! XO

        Reply
    17. Sues

      May 30, 2017 at 1:24 pm

      This pasta salad is gorgeous!! I love Greek anything, but think I love it best when it involves pasta, too! I could probably eat an entire batch of this 🙂 🙂

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        May 30, 2017 at 5:51 pm

        Thanks Sues! I could too 😉

        Reply
    18. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

      May 30, 2017 at 12:31 pm

      Pasta salads have always been a favorite of mine, too! There’s just something about cold pasta, filled with veggies and cheese, and the dressing! And I LOVE using Greek yogurt whenever I can, especially in dressings and baking. It makes you feel just a little bit better when you eat ALL the pasta! This sounds wonderful! Such a perfect recipe for summer. Pinned and hope your week is going well!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        May 30, 2017 at 12:48 pm

        I know what you mean, Gayle! And I like you’re thinking 😉 Thanks so much for the kind words and Pin. Hope you have a wonderful week.

        Reply
    19. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen

      May 30, 2017 at 11:25 am

      YES! There are a handful of restaurants in my hometown that I used to love but when I’ve tried them in recent years they just don’t live up to the memory. It’s so sad! LoveloveLOVE pasta salad though! But I’m totally on board the carb train too, so I might be a little biased :). This looks like an awesome addition to any BBQ menu! Hope your week is going well Dawn!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        May 30, 2017 at 12:47 pm

        Woo hoo for that carb train!! Thanks Kelsie – have an awesome week 🙂

        Reply
    20. David @ Spiced

      May 30, 2017 at 9:00 am

      Oh man, I totally know what you mean about preparing food at home vs going out, Dawn! We’ve done the same thing as you and gone to old favorite restaurants…and we’re almost always disappointed. But if you open a restaurant and serve this Greek pasta salad, then I promise you I won’t be disappointed! In fact, you’ll have to make extra batches every day just to keep up with me. Haha! This one looks amazing, and it’s perfect for summer grilling!! 🙂

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        May 30, 2017 at 12:45 pm

        Right?? Haha…you’re too kind, David! Thanks so much, my friend 🙂

        Reply
    21. Amanda

      May 30, 2017 at 2:19 am

      It is after midnight and when I read this recipe, I jumped out of bed to check my pantry. Yay! I have all the ingredients! I’ll have this tomorrow. (Already pinned.) 🙂

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        May 30, 2017 at 8:35 am

        Haha! That’s too funny 🙂 Hope you love it and thanks very much for the Pin, Amanda!

        Reply
    22. Marvellina | What To Cook Today

      May 29, 2017 at 8:59 pm

      This is so colorful and love the idea that the dressing is swim-suit friendly too 🙂

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        May 30, 2017 at 8:33 am

        Thanks Marvellina! Just right for summer 😉

        Reply
    23. Jovita @ Yummy Addiction

      May 29, 2017 at 7:33 pm

      I love all kinds of pasta salads and yours look amazing! Love the feta and veggie combination!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        May 30, 2017 at 8:32 am

        Thanks Jovita! Me too 😉

        Reply
    24. Sara

      May 29, 2017 at 6:35 pm

      Oh. My. Yum! This looks perfect for summer!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        May 30, 2017 at 8:30 am

        Thanks so much Sara!

        Reply
    25. Katherine | Love In My Oven

      May 29, 2017 at 5:16 pm

      I totally know what you mean!! I have all these “old favorites” that I keep getting disappointed by. Maybe as we get older our tastes just change? I love that you’ve used Greek yogurt in the dressing here (keeping it Greek), and how cool is it that you’re using gluten-free noodles? Nice one Dawn! Even if we don’t get a holiday today at least we can enjoy yummy foods like this!! Cheers!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        May 29, 2017 at 6:10 pm

        Right? Glad I’m not the only one 🙂 Thanks Katherine – so happy you like this one! Have an awesome week!

        Reply
    26. Luci's Morsels

      May 29, 2017 at 4:15 pm

      Pasta salad is definitely one of my favorite summer go-tos! Love this fun rendition, the greek flavors sound so tasty and refreshing!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        May 29, 2017 at 6:09 pm

        Me too Luci 🙂 Thanks so much!

        Reply
    27. Gaila

      May 29, 2017 at 11:43 am

      Perrrrfect salad for grilling season, heck, for any season, love all the ingredients you put together Dawn!! thanks for sharing! have a great Monday!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        May 29, 2017 at 6:08 pm

        Thank you so much, Gaila! Have a wonderful week 🙂

        Reply

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