Chilled Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives
A refreshing pasta salad featuring spiral noodles tossed with crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and briny olives, dressed in a light lemon-olive oil vinaigrette. This greek-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs spiral pasta, medium, diced cucumber, medium, diced red bell pepper into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spiral pasta
- 1 medium, diced cucumber
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
- 1/2 medium, thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup, pitted and halved black olives
- 1 cup, crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz spiral pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool, then drain well.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with 1 diced medium cucumber, 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 diced green bell pepper, 1/2 thinly sliced red onion, 1/2 cup halved black olives, and 1 cup crumbled feta cheese.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp dried oregano, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 4: Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chilled Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Chilled Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spiral pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chilled Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chilled Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Chilled Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
