Best 8 Grecian Inspired Macaroni Salad Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

If you're looking for a refreshing and flavorful side dish for your next gathering, look no further than this Grecian-inspired macaroni salad. Made with a tangy vinaigrette dressing, this pasta salad is loaded with flavorful ingredients like kalamata olives, feta cheese, red onion, cucumber, and bell peppers. In this article, we'll walk you through the simple steps to make this delicious salad, along with some tips and tricks for customizing it to your liking.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

GREEK PASTA SALAD WITH FETA AND OLIVES



Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives image

Tomato, cucumber, feta, olives and pasta are tossed with an oregano vinaigrette for a filling Greek-style salad.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 30m

Yield 4-6

Number Of Ingredients 11

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 small shallot, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
8 ounces dried ziti
1 cup chopped cucumber
1/2 cup crumbled feta
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives, chopped
2 medium vine-ripe tomatoes, chopped

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, shallot, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl.
  • Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; add to the bowl with the dressing.
  • Add the cucumber, feta, parsley, olives and tomatoes to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.

GREEK-STYLE PASTA SALAD



Greek-Style Pasta Salad image

Bring home a little bit of the Mediterranean with our Greek-Style Pasta Salad recipe. With spinach, feta, cherry tomatoes, chickpeas and a zesty vinaigrette, Greek-Style Pasta Salad has all the Greek island flavor you'd expect. Plus, Greek-Style Pasta Salad only takes 20 minutes to make!

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Healthy Living Dinner Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings, 1 cup each

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 cups farfalle (bow-tie pasta), uncooked
2 cups tightly packed baby spinach leaves
1 cup KRAFT Natural Feta Cheese Crumbles
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
3/4 cup rinsed canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1/2 cup ATHENOS Greek Vinaigrette Dressing with Real ATHENOS Feta Cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt; drain.
  • Place pasta in large bowl. Add remaining ingredients; mix lightly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 270, Fat 10 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Sodium 370 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 10 g

GREEK PASTA SALAD



Greek Pasta Salad image

Great summer pasta salad.

Provided by Danielle Laroche

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 3h30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 cups penne pasta
¼ cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
⅔ cup extra-virgin olive oil
10 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 small red onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
½ cucumber, sliced
½ cup sliced black olives
½ cup crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the penne, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Rinse with cold water and drain well in a colander set in the sink.
  • Whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Set aside. Combine pasta, tomatoes, onion, green and red peppers, cucumber, olives, and feta cheese in a large bowl. Pour vinaigrette over the pasta and mix together. Cover and chill for 3 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 306.6 calories, Carbohydrate 19.3 g, Cholesterol 14 mg, Fat 23.6 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 5.4 g, SaturatedFat 5.2 g, Sodium 258.1 mg, Sugar 2.8 g

GREEK PASTA SALAD



Greek pasta salad image

For a fresh idea with pasta, try Greek salad

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Buffet, Dinner, Lunch, Pasta, Side dish, Snack, Supper

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 6

300g fusilli pasta spirals - or you can use farfalle (butterflies) or penne (quill tubes)
225g bag prepared fresh baby spinach
250g punnet cherry tomatoes , halved
100g black olive (we bought kalamata from the deli counter)
200g feta cheese , broken into rough chunks
3 tbsp olive oil

Steps:

  • Tip the fusilli into a large pan of boiling salted water and boil for 10 minutes. Throw in the spinach, stir well and boil for another 2 minutes. Drain into a colander or sieve and leave to drip-dry.
  • Tip the tomatoes, olives and feta into a big bowl, grind lots of black pepper over and then drizzle with the olive oil.
  • Toss in the drained pasta and spinach, and let everyone help themselves.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 418 calories, Fat 23 grams fat, SaturatedFat 8 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 37 grams carbohydrates, Fiber 5 grams fiber, Protein 18 grams protein, Sodium 3.48 milligram of sodium

GREEK MACARONI SALAD



Greek Macaroni Salad image

I've found that I can't go wrong taking this colorful bean and pasta salad to a potluck, patio party or picnic. It is easy to put together ahead of time...and the flavors blend as the salad chills. -Cheryl Maczko Arthurdale, West Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
4 medium plum tomatoes, chopped
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can (6 ounces) pitted ripe olives
1 package (4 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, tomatoes, beans, onion, olives, feta cheese, salt, pepper and garlic. , In a small bowl, whisk oil and lemon juice. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Stir before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 278 calories, Fat 19g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 690mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 7g protein.

GREEK-INSPIRED GEMELLI PASTA SALAD



Greek-Inspired Gemelli Pasta Salad image

Go Greek with this delicious Greek-inspired pasta salad!

Provided by Annie Pfannkoch

Categories     Pasta by Shape

Time 35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 14

½ cup olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (16 ounce) package gemelli pasta
3 cups firmly packed baby spinach leaves
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 (6 ounce) container crumbled feta cheese
½ cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved
¾ medium English cucumber, peeled and diced
½ large red onion, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, Dijon, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add gemelli and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 to 11 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Drain again.
  • Transfer gemelli to a large bowl. Add spinach, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, cucumber, and red onion. Toss with dressing and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 424.3 calories, Carbohydrate 47.8 g, Cholesterol 18.9 mg, Fat 21.8 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 11.6 g, SaturatedFat 5.6 g, Sodium 552.2 mg, Sugar 3.5 g

KIDS' PASTA SALAD



Kids' pasta salad image

Make our Greek pasta salad with the kids. The recipe is specially designed for younger cooks, and we've noted all the equipment they'll need to make it

Provided by Cassie Best

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 20

200g bow-shaped pasta, or use your favourite shape
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp dried oregano
16-20 cherry tomatoes
75g olives, pitted (you can use green or black)
½ small cucumber
1 red onion
100g feta cheese
kettle (optional)
medium saucepan
wooden spoon
timer
measuring spoons
mixing bowl
mixing spoon
colander
chopping board
sharp serrated knife
measuring scales

Steps:

  • Fill a medium saucepan with hot water from the tap until it's three-quarters full. Set the pan on the hob. Season the water with a pinch of salt, then turn the heat to medium-high - the water should start to boil after a minute or so. Slowly tip the pasta into the boiling water - do this carefully, as any splashes could burn your skin.
  • Holding the handle of the saucepan with one hand (use a cloth if it's hot), carefully stir the pasta with a long wooden spoon in the other hand - this will prevent the pasta from sticking together. Set a timer for 10 mins. Stir the pasta every minute or so, and keep checking the heat to make sure the water is gently boiling while the timer counts down.
  • While the pasta cooks, measure 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar and 1 tsp dried oregano into a mixing bowl. Season with some salt and black pepper, and mix well - this will make a zingy dressing for the pasta.
  • When the timer beeps, it's time to check if the pasta is cooked. To do this, scoop one piece of pasta out of the boiling water using the wooden spoon, tip it onto a plate and leave it to cool slightly. Taste the pasta: if it's soft, it's cooked through, but if it's still a little hard in the middle, it needs to cook for a bit longer. Set the timer for another 2 mins, then check again.
  • Place a large colander or sieve in the sink. When the pasta is cooked, turn off the heat and, using two hands, carefully carry the saucepan over to the sink and tip the pasta into the colander to drain away the hot water. Leave to cool for a few minutes in the colander, then tip the pasta into the mixing bowl with the dressing. Mix together until the pasta is coated in the dressing.
  • Put a chopping board on a work surface. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half by pinching each one between your thumb and index finger, and carefully slicing through the middle of the tomato with a small serrated knife. Slice the pitted olives in the same way, then tip all the tomatoes and olives into the pasta.
  • Put the cucumber on the chopping board and cut it in half lengthways. Lay the two halves on the board cut-side down, so they don't roll around. Cut each piece in half again, so you have four long, chunky pieces. Cut across the cucumber pieces in the other direction so you end up with small cucumber triangles. Tip these into the bowl with the pasta, tomatoes and olives.
  • Put the onion on the board and hold it securely. Cut off the pointy end, then cut the onion in half through the root end. Peel away the papery outer layers until you're left with just the shiny onion underneath. Lay each onion half on the board, cut-side down so it doesn't roll around. Holding onto the root end, carefully slice the halves into half-moon shapes, as thinly as you can. Stop when you get to the root. Tip the onions into the bowl.
  • Crumble the feta cheese into small pieces over the bowl, then gently mix everything together until well combined. Eat straightaway, or chill for up to a day before eating.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 363 calories, Fat 17 grams fat, SaturatedFat 5 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 40 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 5 grams sugar, Fiber 5 grams fiber, Protein 11 grams protein, Sodium 1.26 milligram of sodium

GREEK MACARONI SALAD



Greek Macaroni Salad image

Make and share this Greek Macaroni Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by JenniferK2

Categories     < 15 Mins

Time 15m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup elbow macaroni
4 medium plum tomatoes, chopped
15 ounces garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (6 ounce) can pitted black olives, drained
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water.
  • In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, tomatoes, beans, onion, olives, cheese, salt, pepper and garlic.
  • Whisk oil and lemon juice together in small bowl. Pour over salad and toss to coat.
  • Cover and refrigerate until chilled through. Stir before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 309.6, Fat 19.9, SaturatedFat 4.5, Cholesterol 13.4, Sodium 805.8, Carbohydrate 27.2, Fiber 4.1, Sugar 2.4, Protein 7.1

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients. Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your macaroni salad. Look for ripe tomatoes, crisp celery, and firm cucumbers.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente. This means cooking it until it is just tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked macaroni will become mushy and ruin the salad.
  • Use a good-quality mayonnaise. A good mayonnaise will be thick and creamy, and it will help to hold the salad together. Avoid using Miracle Whip or salad dressing, as these will make the salad too runny.
  • Add plenty of vegetables. Vegetables add flavor, crunch, and color to macaroni salad. Feel free to add your favorite vegetables, such as tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, carrots, onions, or bell peppers.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment. There are many ways to make macaroni salad. Feel free to add your own favorite ingredients or variations. For example, you could add some diced ham, cheese, or hard-boiled eggs.

Conclusion:

Grecian-inspired macaroni salad is a delicious and refreshing salad that is perfect for summertime gatherings. It is easy to make and can be customized to your own liking. With its vibrant flavors and textures, this salad is sure to be a hit at your next potluck or barbecue.

Related Topics