Zesty Greek Horiatiki Pasta Salad Recipe: Summer in a Bowl

Summer’s heat calls for a refreshing Greek horiatiki pasta salad that blends Mediterranean flavors with comforting pasta.

This vibrant dish combines classic Greek ingredients in a delightful twist on traditional horiatiki salad.

Crisp vegetables mingle with perfectly cooked pasta, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Tangy feta cheese and briny olives add depth to every forkful of this light yet satisfying meal.

Herbs like oregano and fresh parsley bring an aromatic brightness that dances across your palate.

The simple dressing of olive oil and red wine vinegar ties everything together with authentic Greek charm.

Prepare to transport your taste buds to a sun-drenched Greek island with this irresistible pasta salad that promises to become a summer favorite.

Why Horiatiki Pasta Salad Is a Summer Hit

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• Create Restaurant-Quality Meal at Home: Transform affordable beef into a tender, succulent roast that rivals professional Korean restaurant dishes without requiring advanced culinary skills.
• Customize for Any Gathering: Perfect for family dinners, weekend meals, or impressing guests with its vibrant flavors and stunning presentation that works for casual and slightly formal occasions.

Ingredients for a Greek Horiatiki Pasta Salad

• Pasta: A hearty foundation that provides texture and substance to the salad.

• Cucumber, Tomatoes, Bell Pepper, Red Onion: Crisp and colorful vegetables that add freshness and vibrant flavors to the dish.
• Kalamata Olives: Classic Greek olives that bring a tangy and salty Mediterranean taste.

• Feta Cheese: A creamy and tangy Greek cheese that adds richness to the salad.
• Parsley, Dill (or Mint): Fresh herbs that provide a bright and aromatic finishing touch.

• Olive Oil: A smooth and rich base that helps blend all flavors together.
• Lemon Juice, Vinegar: Acidic components that add brightness and balance to the dressing.
• Honey: A natural sweetener that softens the tangy elements.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds a subtle kick and helps emulsify the dressing.
• Garlic: Provides a robust and pungent flavor profile.
• Oregano, Basil: Classic Mediterranean herbs that enhance the overall taste.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that elevate and round out the flavor.

Making Greek Horiatiki Pasta Salad at Home

Step 1: Launch Pasta Cooking Adventure

Grab your favorite pasta and boil it in generously salted water. Follow the package guidance for perfect al dente texture.

Once cooked, drain the pasta and give it a cool rinse under running water. Drizzle a touch of olive oil to keep the noodles slick and separated, then park the pasta in a spacious mixing bowl.

Step 2: Chop Vegetable Companions

• Cucumber: Slice lengthwise, scoop out seeds, then chop into delightful quarter-moon shapes
• Bell pepper: Core and dice into bite-sized pieces
• Tomatoes: Slice in half, remove seeds and juicy center, then transform into perfect cubes
• Red onion: Dice into small, zesty bits
• Kalamata olives: Slice in half for a Mediterranean touch

Step 3: Create Flavor Symphony

Merge your cooked pasta with the chopped vegetables and crumble feta cheese throughout the bowl. This is where magic starts happening!

Step 4: Craft Magical Dressing

• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Vinegar
• Honey
• Dijon mustard
• Minced garlic
• Dried oregano
• Fresh basil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Taste and adjust seasonings until your dressing sings with deliciousness.

Step 5: Final Flavor Fusion

• Chopped parsley
• Dill or mint

Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss everything together.

Watch as the ingredients dance and blend into a mouthwatering Mediterranean masterpiece!

Good Notes for Horiatiki Pasta Salad Lovers

• Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch, ensuring each noodle stays separate and perfectly textured.
• Let the salad sit for 15-30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to marinate and blend their flavors, creating a more complex and delicious taste profile.
• Swap dill with fresh mint or parsley for a different aromatic twist that matches your personal preference or complements other dishes.
• Store dressing separately and add just before serving to maintain the crisp vegetable texture and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or shrimp to transform this side dish into a complete and satisfying main course meal.

Styles to Try With Horiatiki Pasta Salad

• Protein Power Pasta: Replace feta with grilled chicken or chickpeas for a protein-packed version. Perfect for athletes and fitness enthusiasts seeking extra nutrition.
• Vegan Mediterranean Delight: Swap feta with plant-based cheese or tofu crumbles. Use agave instead of honey to create a completely vegan-friendly recipe.
• Gluten-Free Greek Option: Substitute traditional pasta with gluten-free alternatives like quinoa pasta or brown rice pasta. Ensures those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy the classic Mediterranean flavors.
• Low-Carb Mediterranean Bowl: Replace pasta with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. Maintains the fresh vegetable and herb profile while reducing carbohydrate content for low-carb dieters.

What Goes With Greek Pasta Salad Bowls

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enjoy a chilled glass of Assyrtiko from Santorini or a Sauvignon Blanc to complement the bright, tangy flavors of the Horiatiki Pasta Salad. The wine's acidity perfectly matches the zesty dressing and fresh vegetables.
• Serve with Grilled Protein: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or lamb souvlaki alongside the salad for a complete Mediterranean-style meal. The protein will balance the salad's light and refreshing components while adding extra substance.
• Crusty Bread Accompaniment: Serve with warm, crusty Greek bread or pita to soak up the delicious dressing and add a satisfying textural element to the meal. The bread will complement the salad's fresh ingredients and provide a hearty touch.

Storing Horiatiki Pasta Salad for Picnics

• Store the pasta salad in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep dressing separate to prevent soggy ingredients and maintain crisp vegetable texture.
• Portion the salad without dressing into freezer-safe containers. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Before serving chilled leftovers, let the salad sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Drizzle fresh dressing and gently toss to revive flavors and restore moisture.
• If vegetables release water during storage, carefully drain liquid before serving to prevent watery consistency. Add extra herbs or a splash of dressing to restore original taste.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in Horiatiki Pasta Salad?

The key ingredients include pasta, cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, parsley, and a Greek-inspired dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, honey, and herbs.

• Is this a traditional Greek salad?

This is a pasta-based adaptation of the classic Greek salad (Horiatiki), featuring traditional Mediterranean ingredients and flavors, but with pasta added for a more substantial meal.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

You can prepare the ingredients and dressing separately, but it’s best to combine everything just before serving to keep the vegetables crisp and prevent the pasta from becoming soggy.

Horiatiki Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Greek summer meets pasta perfection in this Horiatiki Pasta Salad, blending classic Mediterranean flavors with al dente noodles. Crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and zesty herbs create a refreshing dish you’ll crave at every gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) short pasta (penne or farfalle)
• 3/4 cup (170 grams) crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup (75 grams) Kalamata olives, pitted and halved

Vegetables:

• 1 English cucumber
• 2 Roma tomatoes
• 1 medium bell pepper (green, red, or yellow), diced
• 1/2 small red onion, diced

Herbs:

• 1/4 cup (15 grams) chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup (15 grams) chopped dill (or substitute with mint)

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Instructions

1. Cook pasta in generously salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until perfectly al dente, ensuring a tender yet firm texture.
2. Drain pasta immediately and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process, preventing overcooking and clumping.
3. Drizzle olive oil over cooled pasta, gently tossing to create a light, non-sticky coating in a spacious mixing bowl.
4. Prepare cucumber by quartering lengthwise, carefully removing seeds, then chopping into delicate, bite-sized segments.
5. Precision-cut bell pepper into uniform, small cubes, maintaining consistent size for even distribution.
6. Transform tomatoes by halving, extracting seeds and pulpy center, then dicing into neat, compact cubes.
7. Finely mince red onion and slice Kalamata olives in half, creating textural variety in the salad.
8. Assemble salad components by combining pasta, prepared vegetables, crumbled feta cheese in a large mixing bowl.
9. Craft dressing by vigorously whisking olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and dried herbs.
10. Season dressing with salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting flavors for perfect balance.
11. Immediately before serving, scatter freshly chopped parsley and dill throughout the salad.
12. Drench salad with prepared dressing, thoroughly tossing to ensure every ingredient is elegantly coated.

Notes

• Choose short pasta shapes like rotini or penne that capture dressing and hold vegetables perfectly for maximum flavor distribution.
• Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop a more intense Mediterranean taste profile.
• Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu for a protein boost, making the salad a complete and satisfying meal for different dietary needs.
• Swap parsley and dill with fresh mint or basil to create unique flavor variations that complement the Mediterranean ingredients.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 295 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 410 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 11 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg