Thanks for joining Sarah and me for Meatless Monday today! I am continuing on my theme of preparing easy, cold dishes that I can enjoy for lunch or dinner for a few days. With this heat, I do not want to be cooking everyday for sure! Today, I am sharing my twist on a Greek Pasta Salad that I know you will love. It’s simple and oh so yummy.
To me, Greek Salads just scream summer. I took all of my favorite ingredients of a Greek Salad and added some pasta to make it more of a meal. This Greek Pasta Salad is full of color and protein and is sure to satisfy your hunger. The best part is that you can make a big batch of it and then have it for lunch for a few days. Win in my book! I love coming home and knowing lunch is ready and waiting for me.
In case your keeping track, this Greek Pasta Salad can be gluten free (by using GF pasta) and vegan by omitting the feta cheese. Everyone is happy!
A couple of cook’s notes:
I used spiralized cucumbers to give a fun twist to the Greek Pasta Salad. Also works well with regular diced cucumbers. If you do spiralize your cucumbers, I like to throw on a little salt and let them drain a little water out before adding them to salads. Keeps the pasta salad from getting watery.
Another tip, if you are not eating the salad right away, leave the romaine lettuce off until ready to serve. The lettuce can get a little soggy if you leave it in.
I like to use Apple cider vinegar for these types of salads over a balsamic as I find it blends really well with the cucumbers and cheese.
Greek Pasta Salad with a Twist
Ingredients
- 12 oz box of penne or pasta of choice (cooked according to package and cooled)
- 2 large cucumbers (spiralized or diced)
- 2 pints of grape or cherry tomatoes (red or yellow) halved
- 6 oz of feta cheese chopped
- 4 C chopped Romaine lettuce
- 1 15 oz can of chick peas-rinsed and drained
- 8 pepperoncini
- 2 red peppers-cut into bite sized pieces
- dressing:
- juice of 1 lemon
- basil, oregano, salt & pepper to taste
- 1/2 C apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 C high quality EVOO
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to box, rinse with cool water and drain
- Add all ingredients into large mixing bowl
- Drizzle with olive oil, lemon and apple cider vinegar
- toss to coat and sprinkle with oregano, basil, salt & pepper
- Enjoy!
Hope you enjoy my easy twist on a Greek Pasta Salad & have a great week!
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Oh yum– I love the spiralized cukes in this— what type of spiralizer do u use Deb?
Lauren recently posted…Sweet Potato Overnight Oats
Thanks! Right now I am using the spiralizer attachment on the kitchen aid mixer. Best Mother’s Day present ever!
This pasta salad looks amazing!!!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! recently posted…19 Sweet n’ Savory Zucchini Recipes
thanks so much! I really enjoyed it hope you give it a try
Delicious. I need a spiralizer in my life!
Rachel recently posted…Happy Birthday! Cake Batter Protein Waffles
You sure do! I am loving my kitchen aid spiralizer
You had me at spiralize!
Susie @ Suzlyfe recently posted…Weekend Happenings (Migraines, Crohn’s Disease, and Some Fun)
Thanks! Thought it gave it a nice “twist” 🙂
What a yummy twist on greek pasta salad! I need to do this the next time I make mine. Thanks for hosting.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Making Healthy Choices for Rhett {Giveaway}
Thanks so much hope you enjoy
This looks amazing, love the spirlalized cucumbers!
Annmarie recently posted…5 Ways to Train Like An Olympian
Thanks I thought they added a nice little twist
I love all the flavors in a Greek salad! Yes, even the Feta though I don’t eat it anymore :-). Thanks for hosting!
Debbie recently posted…The Ultimate Vegan Jackfruit Burrito Recipe
Thanks so much! I thought about you with the feta you can certainly leave it out but you know I am all about the cheese 🙂
Looks awesome! Love zucchini noodles and adore Greek salad!
Abbey recently posted…Gluten Free Shake and Bake Chicken | Healthy Copycat Recipe
Me too! thanks
You know I love me some gluten free pasta. This sounds great!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Dairy Free Sea Salted Caramel Frozen Custard (gluten free, soy free)
Thanks so much and will certainly be great with gf pasta as well
Oooh this looks delicious! I love the idea of having cooler dishes to avoid so much time in front of a hot stove!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Philly Marathon Training Week 1 Recap
So do I!! Thanks so much
I LOVE the flavors of Greece but always use them in recipes for chicken and turkey. This is so great that you’ve created a light and refreshing salad that’s perfect for all the hot days. I can’t wait to try it!
Chrissa – Physical Kitchness recently posted…Comment on No Bake Paleo Chocolate Mango Bars by Blair
OH great! Thanks so much hope you enjoy
Ooh, I love pasta salad and I haven’t made any yet this Summer. Great idea and I’m definitely adding it to the meal plan 🙂
Chaitali recently posted…Weekly review
Thanks hope you enjoy it!
Deborah – that’s another yummy salad of yours! Love the colors! Happy Summer!
Ilka recently posted…Running Log Week August 1st – Half-Marathon Training
Thanks Ilka! Hope you have a great week
That salad looks awesome. I love to use my spiralizer whenever I can and cucumbers are a natural!
Elle recently posted…3 Cheers for Chia!
I love the cucumbers this way as well. Hope you try it out
There are alot of ingredients in this dish. But they all are pretty healthy. I’ll have to give it a try. I finally just bought a spiralizer.
lacey@fairytalesandfitness.com recently posted…Race Day Mishap
Oh great you will love to see all the fun things you can do with it
I’ve been eating a lot of greek pasta salads lately. This one looks yummy!
Anna @ Piper’s Run recently posted…Tested Tough Columbia Clothing
Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did
I just made my own pasta salad last night as a side for our dinner. I wish more people would understand how easy it is to make their own pasta salads instead of buying the premade ones at the store. Its so much healthier, and cheaper, to make your own.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon Training Log – Week 6
OH yes so easy! Once you make your own it’s hard to buy a premade one you just have no idea what’s in there.
I love that the pasta salad includes not only regular pasta but zoodles as well!
Hilary recently posted…Chocolate Coconut Cups
I thought it was a fun twist! Thanks
Looks delicious Deborah! I love all the textures and flavors you have packed into it. Pasta salads were a summer staple in our house growing up but my girls aren’t big fans. I’m thinking we’re going to have to keep trying with more non traditional versions. I could totally get on board with this one!
Happy Meatless Monday!
I hope they like this one! It’s got all of my summer favorites in it
Looks very tasty! It might be this hot weather but I crave Greek food right now!
Margo recently posted…Our newest Fit Bottomed Girls Podcast has @AprilRossBeach #Olympics2016
I love Greek salads in the summer time too
hmmm….might have to give this a go 😉 #salivating
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Back in the Running Shoes!
That was the idea! 🙂
Love this! Looks delicious!
Carmy recently posted…Monday on the Run #48
Thanks so much I really enjoyed it myself
I have got to get my spiralizer back out! This looks amazing and so summery!
Tricia recently posted…Weekly Wrap 53 Happy First Birthday
Yes you definitely do!! And thanks 🙂
This looks yummy and I just picked up a spiralizer! 🙂
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…August with StepBet Week One
They are fun to play with for sure
I love Greek salad, so I know that I’d love this!
Thank you for hosting!
Courtney recently posted…Jalapeño Popper Quesadilla
Thank you for joining in!
looks delicious! perfect for the summer!
glenneth recently posted…Dear Coach: Vol. 3
Thanks! I could eat it everyday
I loveee greek salads and I love adding pasta to salads to make them more of a meal so this looks absolutely perfect! What a delicious meatless monday meal!
Kristy from Southern In Law recently posted…Recipe: Lightened Up Rainbow Baked Cheesecakes (Gluten Free!)
Well thank you very much!
This looks so awesome!
Kayla @ Blondes Have More Run recently posted…Metabolic HIIT Circuit Workout
Thanks so much!
I love finding new ways to use spiraled zucchini!
Kayla @ Blondes Have More Run recently posted…Metabolic HIIT Circuit Workout
Yum! I’ve been loving my spiralizer lately. I have just a small handheld one, but may have to invest in a better one soon.
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…MinuteClinic’s Cure for the Common Wait
If you have a kitchen aid mixer, I just got the spiralizer attachment and it is amazing.
Where has this been all my life???? This looks phenomenal!
Jenn recently posted…weekly wrap: 7.31 – 8.6
Well thanks so much!
This looks insane! I’d have a hard time not eating the entire recipe 🙂 Maybe throw in some kalamata olives for added saltiness.
Christina recently posted…Kiwi Kale Smoothie Bowl
I am one of those crazy people who does not like olives but yes of course they would be great. I loved the pepperoncini in there.
I have Greek Pasta Salad on my menu for the week so I was anxious to read your recipe! I think I really need to get a spiralizer!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Staying Grounded, Staying Afloat
OH yes you do! They are fun to play around with. If you have a kitchen aid mixer, I love the spiralizer attachment they have.
When I try to make stuff like this it never turns out right, but it looks soooo good, I gotta try it soon!
Markita @ Sweshfit recently posted…4 habits of fit people that you never even noticed
It’s pretty hard to mess it up! I have faith in you 🙂
I love Greek anything! We can’t get enough feta cheese around here. With my sister here too, I have two pasta junkies in the house and I’m always looking for new ideas. This looks like a winner!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…The One Where My Sister Moved In
Thanks so much! I love feta cheese and all cheese really.
This looks amazing! I love pasta salad and I love Greek! I can’t wait to try this!
Toni recently posted…Training For The NYC Marathon With Shoebuy
Thanks so much hope you enjoy it
This looks super Yummy! I need to get out my spiralizer and try this one 🙂
Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com recently posted…Triathlon Race Day Etiquette Tips
Yes you do asap! 🙂
Oh… this looks so good! I love greek salad.
vicki recently posted…At What Price Happiness?
Thanks so much! It’s really easy too
Love how this can be tweaked for different dietary needs!
Akaleistar recently posted…Behind the Scenes of Pageant Weekend
Thanks so much!
I have most of these ingredients in my frig/pantry! I’m going to make this with some grilled chicken for our Friday night deck dinner.
Cassandra @ Powered By BLING recently posted…Ratatouille Bolognese
Sounds great! Enjoy
I would eat this salad anytime of year! It looks delish, thanks for sharing and hosting! I love the picture with the ingredients sectioned off in the bowl, really pretty!
Autumn @AutumnPTW recently posted…Austrian Potato Salad – Ditch The Mayo
Thanks so much I hope you enjoy it!