The Hungry Bites

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Categories
    • Main Dishes
      • Beef and veal
      • Chicken and Poultry
      • Lamb and Goat
      • Pork
      • Fish and seafood
      • Other Meats
      • Legumes
      • Salad Meals
    • Side Dishes
    • Greek Appetizers and Meze
    • Pasta and rice
    • Soups and stews
    • One pan - One pot
    • Air Fryer
    • Salads
    • Greek Desserts and Sweets
      • Cakes
      • Cheesecakes
      • Cupcakes and muffins
      • Cookies
      • Chocolate
      • Ice Cream
      • Pies Bars and Tarts
      • Puddings, jams and creams
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Bread Recipes
    • Greek Drinks
    • Dietary
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
      • Gluten-free
      • Healthy
  • The Mediterranean Diet
  • About The Hungry Bites
    • Contact me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Summer
  • Recipes
  • MDiet
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Summer
    • Recipes
    • MDiet
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Pasta and rice

    Creamy Greek pasta salad (with healthy yogurt dressing)

    Modified: Aug 14, 2023 · Published: Apr 14, 2018 by Makos

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Everyone loves this easy recipe for creamy Greek pasta salad with feta.

    The healthy yogurt dressing gives it the best Mediterranean taste.

    Vertical image of Greek pasta salad with feta and creamy yogurt dressing.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Storing
    • 📖 Recipe
    • FAQ

    This is one of the best summer pasta salad recipes since it's best eaten cold or slightly chilled from the fridge and most of the veggies are in season during the summer, when their flavor is the most intense and sweet.

    However this doesn't mean you can't enjoy it throughout the year.

    Especially if you follow the Mediterranean Diet this is a perfect recipe to include in your monthly meal plan. Just make sure to use whole wheat pasta to make it even more healthy.

    This dish is like a greek salad recipe but with added pasta and a creamy yogurt dressing. It is an easy make ahead recipe and ideal as a side dish for a potluck, BBQ, or a party. Many times though, I have it for lunch (put it in a mason jar and take it to work) or even dinner because it's a complete meal.

    If you like this, then you should also check this Traditional Greek Dakos salad which is equally delicious!

    Ingredients

    For this greek pasta salad recipe with pasta you'll need:

    • Rotini pasta or fusilli
    • Tomatoes
    • Cucumbers
    • Red bell pepper
    • Green bell pepper
    • Kalamata olives
    • Feta cheese
    • Fresh parsley

    For the dressing ingredients you'll need:

    • Greek yogurt
    • Red onion
    • Dried oregano
    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Salt
    • Black pepper
    Ingredients for Greek pasta salad.

    Ingredient notes:

    For a Mediterranean Diet pasta salad it's best to use whole wheat pasta.

    The Greek yogurt can be full fat or 2% fat. Use a strained Greek yogurt because it's thicker and will give you the best results.

    The olive oil can be filtered or unfiltered.

    Don't have any Greek yogurt? Check this article with the best Greek yogurt substitutes (dairy and dairy-free)

    Instructions

    To make this creamy Greek yogurt pasta salad, follow this easy step by step guide:

    Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain, rinse well with cold water and drain again. Then, trasnfer the pasta to a large bowl.

    Step 2: Chop the vegetables taking care that all the pieces are about the same size. This will make each bite more balanced and the salad will be easier to eat. Transfer the vegetables with all of their juices to the salad bowl over the pasta, along with the olives and the creamy feta cheese.

    Step 3: Transfer the ingredients for the dressing to a small bowl and mix well to combine. Then, pour the dressing over the rest of the Greek pasta salad ingredients.

    Step 4: Toss gently until everything is covered with the dressing. Serve right away or cover the salad bowl with a lid or a piece of plastic wrap and refrigerated for 30 minutes or more.

    Image of creamy Greek salad pasta served in a salad bowl.

    Instruction notes:

    Make sure to chop your veggies approximately the same size as the type of pasta you'll choose, because this will make the salad more balanced and easier to eat.

    Cook the pasta al dente because it will soften further as it absorbs some of the liquids from the chopped vegetables.

    Substitutions

    Pasta: Rotini can be replaced with other short type of pasta such as penne, farfalle, fusilli, elbow, orecchiette.

    Tomatoes: Any type of tomato is perfect for this recipe as long as it is ripe and sweet. In these photos, red beafsteak juicy tomatoes are used but you can also choose other varieties such as cherry tomatoes, roma, grape tomatoes and more.

    Cucumbers: Preferably, Persian or English cucumber should be used because they can be eaten with their skin and they also don't contain many seeds. They're crisp and crunchy and will make your salad very refreshing.

    If you use other type of cucumber you may have to peel it and remove the seeds if they bother you.

    Parsley: Other fresh herbs such as dill weed, chervil, green onions or chives can be added instead of parsley.

    Kalamata olives: Any other type of pitted olives or even capers can be used to replace Kalamata olives.

    For the Greek salad dressing, you can substitute half of the yogurt with mayonnaise or add a bit of Dijon mustard, but I truly feel that there's no need to do any of that. The olive oil, the oregano and the chopped onion give so much flavor to the dressing, making every other addition unnecessary.

    Red onion: Though red onions are mostly used for salads, any kind of onion will be fine for this recipe.

    Image of a healthy Greek pasta salad in a large bowl.

    Variations

    For a creamy Mediterranean pasta salad with extra plant-based protein, add a can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained. Red kidney beans are also a great addition.

    With chicken: For extra animal protein, add one cooked chicken breast in cubes. It can be boiled, baked or from a rotisserie chicken.

    Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe free of gluten.

    Garlic and miso yogurt dressing: If you want to make the creamy Greek dressing even healthier, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of white miso paste and a teaspoon of dried garlic powder. A similar yogurt sauce is used with these air fryer Brussels Sprouts.

    Creamy Greek salad pasta recipe 2

    Storing

    This Greek pasta salad will keep for 3-4 days when stored in the fridge inside an airtight container.

    Food pairing

    Are you wondering what to serve with Greek pasta salad?

    Here are some great pairing ideas:

    • Oven baked swordfish featured image.
      Oven baked swordfish recipe with lemon vinaigrette
    • Greek baked octopus in foil featured image.
      Easy Mediterranean baked octopus recipe (in foil)
    • A plate with falafel with a bowl of tahini sauce and lemon wedges.
      Falafel recipe (all the secrets)
    • healthy salmon burgers
      Mediterranean healthy Salmon Burgers with yogurt & dill sauce
    Creamy Greek salad pasta recipe 5

    📖 Recipe

    Featured image for creamy Greek pasta salad.

    Creamy Greek pasta salad (with healthy yogurt dressing)

    Makos
    Everyone loves this easy recipe for creamy Greek pasta salad with feta. The healthy yogurt dressing gives it the best Mediterranean taste.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 12 minutes mins
    Total Time 32 minutes mins
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine Greek, Healthy, Mediterranean, Vegetarian
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 362 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    For the salad:

    • 1 pound (450 g) rotini pasta
    • 2 large tomatoes, diced
    • 2 small Persian cucumbers, sliced in the middle lengthwise and chopped.
    • ½ red bell pepper, (chopped)
    • ½ green bell pepper, (chopped)
    • ½ cup fresh parsley, (chopped)
    • ½ cup sliced and pitted Kalamata olives
    • 7 oz (200 g) feta cheese, cubed or crumbled

    For the dressing:

    • 1 cup strained Greek yogurt 2% fat ((you can also use full fat))
    • ½ red onion, finely chopped
    • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • Salt and black pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions or until al dente. Don't overcook it because the texture will be off.
      Drain well using a colander and rinse with cold water until no longer warm. Set aside to drain and transfer to a large salad bowl.
    • Chop the vegetables approximately the same size as the pasta. Transfer them with all of their juices to the salad bowl over the pasta. Add the parsley, the olives and the feta cheese.
    • Transfer the ingredients for the dressing to a small bowl and mix well to combine. Then, pour the dressing over the Greek pasta salad.
    • Toss gently until everything is covered with the dressing. Taste and adjust the salt.
      Serve right away or cover the salad bowl with a lid or a piece of plastic wrap and refrigerated for 30 minutes or more.

    Notes

    This recipe makes 8 servings as a side or 4 servings as a main course.
    Persian and English cucumbers can be consumed with the skin and they're almost seedless. If you use another variety you may have to peel them and remove the seeds.
    If you follow the Mediterranean Diet, it's best to use whole wheat pasta.
    Add more yogurt for extra creaminess.
    You can also use penne, rigatoni, farfalle, fusilli or elbow pasta.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 362kcal
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    You may also like these similar recipes:

    • Salmon pasta profile pic
      Creamy salmon pasta (healthy too!)
    • Creamy summer pasta with eggplant and tomatoes f
      Creamy summer pasta with eggplant and tomatoes
    • creamy cucumber salad thumbnail
      Creamy cucumber salad (yogurt + miso dressing)
    • papardelle a la spanakopita 5
      Pappardelle a la Spanakopita

    FAQ

    What mistakes to avoid when making pasta salad?

    There are some basic mistakes you should avoid when making pasta salad, in order to get the best results:
    1. Not using the right type of pasta. Using spaghetti to make a pasta salad won't work because the pasta should be short in order to get mixed with the other ingredients better. For salads with dressing, using pasta types with nooks and crannies such as penne rigatte or rotini, will catch the dressing resulting in more flavor in each bite.
    2. Overcooking or undercooking the pasta. The pasta should be cooked al dente, so that you can feel the texture in each bite.
    3. Not rinsing the pasta. In most pasta dishes the pasta should not be rinsed because you loose starch and flavor. However, in pasta salads, rinsing the pasta removes some of the extra starch that will cause it to stick together. And no one wants a salad with the pasta pieces stuck together.
    4. Not using enough seasoning. All the pasta should be boiled in salted water and additional salt should be added to the rest of the ingredients. Salt enhances all the other flavors and makes them shine in every dish.
    5. Not using seasonal, fresh ingredients. The best way to get the most flavor is to use seasonal, ripe, fresh veggies of good quality.
    6. Not tasting the final product. You should always taste once the salad is ready. This way you can add more salt, acid (red wine vinegar or lemon juice), fat (oil) or spices and herbs to bring it to your desired taste.

    Is it better to make pasta salad the night before?

    Yes, many recipes including this one, are better when served the next day or when they're stored in the fridge for a few hours.
    This way all the flavors have the chance to bind together and develop, creating a more tasty dish.

    Should you rinse cooked pasta for pasta salad?

    As mentioned previously, in many (warm) pasta recipes the pasta should not be rinsed because you loose starch and flavor.
    However, when it comes to pasta salads, rinsing the pasta removes some of the extra starch that will cause it to stick together and also stops it from cooking further and becoming overcooked.

    If you like this recipe, Pin it!

    Creamy Greek salad pasta recipe 6

    More Mediterranean Recipes with Pasta or Rice

    • A mortar and a pestle with ground pistachios and basil leaves.
      5-Minute Pistachio Pesto Recipe with Basil
    • Featured image of Mediterranean vegetable orzo pasta (orzotto).
      Mediterranean Vegetable Orzo Pasta (One Pot Recipe)
    • Featured image for spaghetti sauce with ground beef.
      Best spaghetti sauce with ground beef (ragu Bolognese)
    • Creamy mushroom risotto without wine, featured image.
      Best creamy mushroom risotto recipe without wine

    Comments

      5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. heather (delicious not gorgeous) says

      April 18, 2018 at 5:25 pm

      oooh love that there's greek yogurt in here! i bet that tang is awesome (:

      Reply
      • Makos says

        April 23, 2018 at 7:56 am

        Yes! Yogurt makes this salad so fresh! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Akhila@Pepper Delight says

      April 19, 2018 at 10:48 pm

      Simple, Fresh and Healthy..it looks and sounds really delicious!!!

      Reply
      • Makos says

        April 23, 2018 at 7:58 am

        Thanks, it is! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Christina says

      April 20, 2018 at 10:10 pm

      Greek pasta salads are THE BEST!!! I love how you use yogurt instead of something heavy like mayo. I would need to make 2 batches of this because, by the time I'm done face planting in this salad, there wouldn't be anything left for my hubby! Pinning!

      Reply
      • Makos says

        April 23, 2018 at 7:59 am

        Haha, thanks Christina! The same happens to me!

        Reply
    4. Kit says

      April 26, 2020 at 1:10 am

      5 stars
      Delicious! This is the first time I've made pasta salad with yogurt. It was great, and, you're correct, it blends in nicely with all the other flavors; you don't outright taste yogurt. I really liked it, and was impressed with the flavor.

      Reply
    5. Konstantina says

      December 03, 2021 at 2:44 am

      5 stars
      This Greek Pasta Salad was so refreshing and I got to use fresh garden vegetables from the farmers market. Living in Tarpon Springs, Florida USA, we always have a great pick of an assortment of fruits and veggies. I followed your recipe to the letter and added fresh chopped Greek zucchini, chopped fresh basil, chopped artichoke hearts and pepperocini pepper slices and some kasseri cheese. I have a tip for onions: after chopping or slicing them add to a bowl of cold water and soak 10 minutes, drain and dry; this mellows the bitterness of the onions. So glad I found your website, you are a fantastic cook and have a great eye for detail!!!!

      Reply
      • Makos says

        December 03, 2021 at 4:51 am

        Hi Konstantina, thank you so much for your kind words!
        Love the tip about the onions!

        Reply
    6. Anna says

      June 24, 2023 at 11:47 am

      5 stars
      I skipped the parsley because I didn’t have any buy other than that followed the recipe exactly. It was very tasty and I will be making it again for sure.

      Reply
      • Makos says

        June 24, 2023 at 8:48 am

        Happy you liked it Anna!

        Reply
    7. Alexia says

      July 21, 2023 at 12:20 am

      Dear Makos,
      In my attempt to make dishes that I love, more healthy for me and my family, I saw this recipe and I give it a try.
      As a result few days later my husband was searching your blog for more recipes that we could try!!
      Great recipe!

      Reply
      • Makos says

        July 20, 2023 at 9:23 pm

        Hi Alexia, that's so great! Thanks for the feedback

        Reply
    8. Bella says

      July 25, 2023 at 2:56 pm

      5 stars

      Hi Makos, this and your summer eggplant pasta have become our go-to summer pasta recipes. Waiting for more recipes like this!

      Reply
      • Makos says

        July 25, 2023 at 4:19 pm

        Thank you so much Bella!

        Reply
    9. Martha Kalogiannis says

      August 03, 2023 at 11:48 pm

      5 stars
      This creamy Greek pasta salad has become a favorite in my family. Thanks for this healthy recipe!

      Reply
      • Makos says

        August 03, 2023 at 10:19 pm

        Hi Martha, I'm very happy you liked it!

        Reply
    author profile image.

    Welcome to The Hungry Bites, your go-to destination for authentic Greek and Mediterranean recipes, straight from the heart of the Aegean.

    About →

    Summer Recipes

    • Dolma on a plate.
      BEST Dolma: Stuffed Grape Vine Leaves with Meat
    • Featured image for creamy Greek pasta salad.
      Creamy Greek pasta salad (with healthy yogurt dressing)
    • A stuffed tomato and pepper on a plate.
      Easy Gemista: Greek stuffed peppers & tomatoes
    • Greek baked octopus in foil featured image.
      Easy Mediterranean baked octopus recipe (in foil)
    • Greek yogurt marinated chicken breasts.
      Greek yogurt chicken marinade—it doubles as a sauce
    • Greek salad featured image.
      Traditional Greek salad (authentic recipe by a Greek)
    • Cretan dakos salad on a plate.
      Traditional Greek Dakos Salad Recipe (by a Cretan)
    • Ouzo cocktails
      Greek booze: 5 Ouzo Cocktails You Need to Try

    Popular Recipes

    • Featured image: 3 slices of spanakopita stacked the one on the other.
      Easy Greek Spinach Pie (Traditional Spanakopita)
    • Oven baked swordfish featured image.
      Oven baked swordfish recipe with lemon vinaigrette
    • A bowl with lemon garlic pearled couscous.
      Best Lemon Garlic Pearl Couscous Recipe
    • Baked chicken leg on a plate with potatoes, carrots and cauliflower.
      Greek baked chicken recipe (with potatoes)
    • Easy pistachio cream in a jar, featured image.
      2-ingredient Pistachio Cream Recipe
    • Pistachio chocolate cake featured image.
      Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Cake
    • Italian almond cookies featured image.
      Easy Italian almond cookies recipe - soft amaretti
    • Creme brulee featured image
      Classic French Crème brûlée recipe (in 5 easy steps)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    As Seen In

    GREATIST, Buzzfeed, Saveur, wellandgood, verywellfit, popsugar, everydayhealth, brit.co, Health.com, Livestrong, Thefeedfeed, Marie Claire, Thepappaspost.

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • YouTube

    Copyright © 2016-2025 The Hungry Bites

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.