When summer rolls around, I’m all about easy-to-make meals and side dishes. If a recipe involves minimal cooking on a hot summer’s day, even better! This Greek rotini pasta salad recipe is one for the books.
Easy to make? Check. Packed with the flavors of summer? Check. Cheaper than a ticket to Santorini? Check!
Like most pasta salads, this one makes enough to feed a crowd—or one hungry family. Don’t be daunted by the ingredient list—this recipe truly comes together in a snap. (If you opt to use store-bought salad dressing instead of making homemade vinaigrette, we’ll never tell!)
Rotini Pasta Salad Ingredients
For the vinaigrette:
- Olive oil: Because its flavor will be highlighted, use a quality extra virgin olive oil. When testing olive oil brands, the extra-virgin olive oil that topped our Test Kitchen’s list was Filippo Berio.
- Lemon juice: Lemon juice adds acidity and a citrus flavor.
- Balsamic vinegar: This type of vinegar has a robust, fruity flavor balanced with acidity.
- Garlic: Minced garlic adds depth of flavor to the vinaigrette.
- Oregano: Use fresh oregano for the best flavor. In a pinch, though use the fresh-to-dried herb conversion: For every 3 tablespoons of fresh herbs, use 1 tablespoon of dried herbs.
For the pasta salad:
- Pasta: This recipe calls for rotini pasta, but other pasta shapes, such as farfalle or penne, work too. You want a shape with lots of nooks and crannies to hold onto the dressing and chopped veggies.
- Tomatoes: Seeded and chopped Roma tomatoes work well in this recipe, but other varieties, such as vine-ripened, cherry or grape tomatoes, are also good choices.
- Sweet red pepper: Sweet red peppers add a ton of flavor without heat.
- Cucumber: Thin-skinned Armenian or English cucumbers are ideal cucumber varieties for pasta salad recipes.
- Zucchini: Use a small zucchini for this recipe, as it will be more delicate in flavor and tender in texture.
- Onion: I like red onions for sharp flavor. If you prefer a mellower onion flavor, shallots are a good alternative.
- Greek olives: Pitted and sliced kalamata olives add a delicious briny flavor to the salad.
- Feta cheese: Don’t skimp on the feta! This salty and tangy cheese adds a ton of flavor and helps to bring all the ingredients together.
Directions
Step 1: Cook the pasta
You want al dente pasta here—not overcooked noodles. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain, then rinse with cold water and drain again.
Step 2: Make the vinaigrette
In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, vinegar, water, garlic, salt and pepper until blended. Stir in the minced fresh oregano.
Step 3: Assemble the salad
In a large serving bowl, combine the pasta, vegetables and, if desired, olives.
Add the vinaigrette.
Add the cheese, and toss gently to combine.
Refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve. This rest allows the flavors to come together!
Recipe Variations
- Use marinated veggies: For even deeper flavor, add chopped marinated veggies to the mix. Think marinated artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers.
- Top with protein: To make this rotini pasta salad a complete meal, top with grilled chicken or grilled salmon.
- Add fresh herbs: In addition to the oregano in the dressing, add chopped oregano to the pasta salad. Other flavorful herbs to consider are parsley, basil or thyme.
- Lean into the antipasti: Add chopped cured meats, such as salami or summer sausage, for extra savory flavor.
- Use store-bought dressing: To streamline this recipe, there’s no shame in using store-bought dressing. Use a simple balsamic dressing or look for a Greek vinaigrette.
How to Store Rotini Pasta Salad
Leftover rotini pasta salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For the best flavor and texture, eat leftovers within three to five days.
Rotini Pasta Salad Tips
What mistakes should you avoid when making pasta salad?
For a more flavorful pasta salad, cook the pasta in salted water. For the best texture, cook the pasta just slightly past al dente. You don’t want to undercook pasta, but overcooking leads to a mushy texture.
If you expect to have leftovers, reserve a few tablespoons of the dressing. Use the reserved dressing to add moisture to the leftover salad and help brighten the flavors.
What can you serve with rotini pasta salad?
This easy rotini pasta salad is ideal for a summer barbecue. It’s a delicious side to serve with grilled burgers, brats or barbecued chicken. For a meatless meal, serve alongside our best-ever veggie burgers or vegetable kabobs.
