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Fresh Loaded Greek Pasta Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing

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A quick and easy Greek pasta salad featuring rotini, fresh veggies, and a creamy feta dressing that’s perfect for summer gatherings and light meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini pasta
  • 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, peeled and diced
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • ½ cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside to drain completely while you prep the veggies.
  3. Halve cherry tomatoes, peel and dice cucumber, slice Kalamata olives, finely chop red onion, dice green bell pepper, and chop fresh parsley and dill. Place all these in a large mixing bowl.
  4. In a blender or food processor, combine crumbled feta cheese, Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. Add the cooled pasta to the veggie bowl. Pour the creamy feta dressing over the top. Gently toss everything together until pasta and veggies are well coated. If the dressing feels too thick, add a splash of cold water or olive oil to loosen it up.
  6. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld beautifully and the salad chill perfectly.

Notes

Rinsing the pasta under cold water after cooking is essential to stop starches and prevent the salad from becoming gummy. Blend the feta and yogurt until completely smooth for a luscious dressing texture. Salt the pasta water generously but be cautious with salt in the dressing since feta is naturally salty. Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. For a dairy-free version, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt and use a vegan feta alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek pasta salad, creamy feta dressing, summer salad, rotini pasta salad, easy pasta salad, vegetarian pasta salad

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/fresh-loaded-greek-pasta-salad-with-creamy-feta-dressing-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-summer/