I debated for ages whether to post the recipe for Greek Pasta Salad. It’s such an easy recipe that it felt like it didn’t deserve any space on the blog. I keep forgetting that it’s the simplest recipes that are always the most popular!

But I am glad to report I have gotten over myself and decided to post it since it happens to be such a versatile summer side dish. It will happily support BBQ dishes, it’s picnic ready and even a great packed lunch staple.

Greek Pasta Salad Ingredients

Basically this is your traditional Greek salad mixed with orzo pasta – simplicity itself. The secret to making a great Greek salad is using the best produce – sun ripened tomatoes still warm from the sun, proper barrel-aged feta and lots of Greek extra virgin olive oil.

Tomatoes: I used cherry tomatoes but any type of ripe tomatoes can be used, sliced small
Cucumbers: If you can find mini snacking cucumbers otherwise remove the seeds
Onion: in Greece it’s always red onions
Black olives: Kalamata olives preferably!
Feta cheese: for maximum flavour look for authentic Greek barrel-aged feta cheese
Bell pepper: Green peppers are often added in Xoriatiki (Greek Salad)

Greek Salad Dressing

Greek extra virgin olive oil (see notes for a Slimming Wold variation of this orzo pasta salad)
Red wine vinegar
Oregano: both fresh and dried oregano can be used here, the dried oregano has a more pronounced taste
Minced garlic: You can leave this out if preferred

How Do I Make Greek Pasta Salad?

First you have to cook your orzo pasta. Orzo is commonly used in many Italian and Greek recipes and can be used in salads, stews and soups. If you can’t find orzo you could replace with small macaroni or giant couscous.

The name means ‘barley’ in Italian, as does the Greek name, κριθαράκι. Orzo needs to be boiled for about 10-12 minutes in salted water, as all pasta. Cool the orzo before adding the remaining salad ingredients.

This pasta salad is best eaten within a couple of days as it relies on fresh ingredients. You could however cook a large batch of the orzo and keep it in the fridge so you can easily throw the salad together in minutes.

Make It Slimming World Friendly

This pasta salad is perfect for Slimming World provided you make a few minor tweaks. Black olives are only 2 Syns per 25g, feta is part of your healthy extra allowance and remaining ingredients are syn-free.

To reduce the overall syn value of the salad omit the olive oil in the dressing and instead spray the salad with olive oil spray which is only half a syn per 5 sprays.

What to Serve with Greek Pasta Salad

Serve this salad with Greek Bifteki, grilled Halloumi cheese (leave out the feta in this case), Souvlaki pork, or Greek Grilled Lamb Chops (paidakia). Simply added some cooked chicken or grilled shrimp to turn it into a main meal.

Have You Made My Greek Pasta Salad?

Post a photo on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #Nusde. I can’t wait to see your take on it!