Craving a fresh, vibrant salad that brings all the flavors of the Mediterranean straight to your plate? Let me introduce you to Horiatiki Pasta Salad—a fun twist on the classic Greek village salad (Horiatiki), with the addition of hearty pasta! This salad is everything you love about the traditional Greek salad: juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, briny olives, and tangy feta—except now, it’s even more filling and satisfying with pasta thrown into the mix. It’s the perfect dish to serve at BBQs, picnics, or whenever you’re looking for something that’s both light and substantial. Trust me, once you take a bite, you’ll be hooked. It’s a dish that’s fresh, zesty, and guaranteed to make your taste buds sing!
Why You’ll Love Horiatiki Pasta Salad
Mediterranean Flavors: This salad combines the best of Greek ingredients, making it bursting with fresh, tangy, and savory flavors.
Hearty Yet Light: The pasta adds substance, making this salad filling without being heavy—ideal for a light lunch or dinner.
Easy to Make: It comes together quickly, with minimal effort. Chop, mix, and you’re ready to go!
Versatile: You can enjoy it as a side dish, a light meal, or even a potluck winner. It’s super versatile and can be customized to your liking.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re serving it at a summer BBQ, picnic, or weeknight dinner, it’s always a hit.
Ingredients in Horiatiki Pasta Salad
This dish relies on fresh, vibrant ingredients that come together beautifully. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need:
Pasta: Choose a small pasta like rotini or penne that can hold onto the dressing and mix well with the veggies.
Cucumbers: Fresh, crisp cucumbers add crunch and a cool flavor that balances the tangy dressing.
Tomatoes: Juicy, ripe tomatoes bring a burst of sweetness. Cherry or grape tomatoes work great here!
Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onions provide a bit of sharpness and color.
Kalamata Olives: The briny, savory flavor of Kalamata olives is essential for that Mediterranean taste.
Feta Cheese: Crumbled or cubed feta cheese adds creaminess and saltiness that pulls everything together.
Fresh Oregano: This herb gives the salad a lovely Mediterranean aroma and flavor.
Olive Oil: A good-quality extra virgin olive oil makes the dressing smooth and adds richness.
Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice adds brightness and tang, balancing the flavors of the salad.
Red Wine Vinegar: A splash of red wine vinegar gives an extra kick of acidity to round out the dressing.
Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings to taste, helping to bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.
(Note: Full ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Now that you have all your ingredients, let’s dive into making this refreshing Horiatiki Pasta Salad:
Cook the Pasta:
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook it according to the package directions, until it’s al dente. Once it’s cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down. You want it to be at room temperature before mixing it into the salad.
Prepare the Veggies:
While the pasta is cooking, dice your cucumbers, slice your tomatoes in halves or quarters, and thinly slice the red onion. You want these to be bite-sized so they mix well with the pasta.
Make the Dressing:
In a small bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake until everything is well combined. This zesty dressing will bring all the flavors of the salad together!
Assemble the Salad:
In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, olives, and crumbled feta. Pour the dressing over the top and toss everything together gently until the ingredients are well coated.
Chill and Serve:
Cover the salad and let it chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. When you’re ready to serve, give it one last toss and add a bit more salt and pepper if needed.
How to Serve Horiatiki Pasta Salad
Horiatiki Pasta Salad is so versatile and can be served in a variety of ways:
- As a Side Dish: Serve it alongside grilled meats like chicken, lamb, or fish for a balanced and flavorful meal.
- As a Light Meal: This salad is hearty enough to be enjoyed on its own for a light lunch or dinner.
- Perfect for Picnics or BBQs: It’s easy to make in advance and holds up well in the fridge, making it an excellent choice for potlucks or outdoor gatherings.
- Pair with Bread: Serve it with some crusty bread or pita to soak up the delicious dressing and make it even more satisfying.
- As a Party Dish: Make a big batch and serve it at your next gathering—it’s a sure crowd-pleaser!
Additional Tips
- Make It Ahead: Horiatiki Pasta Salad is great for making ahead. You can store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. The flavors only get better as they meld together!
- Customize the Salad: Feel free to mix it up by adding other ingredients like roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, or even grilled chicken to make it heartier.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh oregano adds a wonderful touch, but if you don’t have it, dried oregano works too. Just use a little less!
- Add Extra Veggies: If you’re a fan of bell peppers or olives, feel free to toss them in! This salad is easy to customize to your tastes.
- Vegan Version: To make this salad vegan, simply omit the feta and replace it with your favorite plant-based cheese or nutritional yeast.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
A1: Yes, absolutely! This salad can be made a few hours in advance or even the day before. Just keep it covered in the fridge and toss it again before serving.
Q2: What kind of pasta should I use?
A2: You can use any small pasta shape like rotini, penne, or farfalle. Just make sure it’s a pasta that can hold the dressing and mix well with the veggies.
Q3: Can I make this salad without olives?
A3: Yes! If you’re not a fan of olives, you can skip them or replace them with capers for a slightly different briny flavor.
Q4: How long will leftovers last?
A4: Leftovers will last for up to 2 days in the fridge. Just keep it in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Q5: Can I use a different cheese?
A5: Feta is traditional in this recipe, but you can substitute it with goat cheese, ricotta salata, or even mozzarella if you prefer something milder.
Q6: Can I add meat to this salad?
A6: Yes! Grilled chicken, lamb, or even shrimp would be great additions if you want to turn this into a more substantial meal.
Q7: Can I use a different vinegar?
A7: Red wine vinegar works best for this salad, but you can substitute it with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar if you prefer.
Q8: Is this salad gluten-free?
A8: If you use gluten-free pasta, this salad can be made gluten-free. Just be sure to check your pasta package for any gluten-containing ingredients.
Q9: Can I add more vegetables?
A9: Absolutely! Feel free to add bell peppers, artichokes, or even some roasted vegetables to make the salad even more flavorful and colorful.
Q10: How do I store this salad?
A10: Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just be sure to give it a good toss before serving to redistribute the dressing.
Conclusion
Horiatiki Pasta Salad is the perfect marriage of Greek-inspired ingredients and hearty pasta. Whether you’re looking for a fresh side dish, a light meal, or a potluck showstopper, this salad delivers. With its balance of zesty dressing, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and creamy feta, it’s a dish that’ll keep you coming back for more. Make it once, and you’ll find yourself craving it again and again! Enjoy the Mediterranean flavors in every bite!
PrintHoriatiki Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
Horiatiki Pasta Salad is a Mediterranean twist on the classic Greek Horiatiki salad, featuring al dente pasta, fresh vegetables, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and a zesty olive oil dressing. It’s perfect for summer picnics, BBQs, or as a light meal on its own!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked pasta (penne, fusilli, or rotini)
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional for a vegan version)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and Kalamata olives.
- Drizzle with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and lemon juice.
- Sprinkle with dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
- Add crumbled feta cheese on top (if using).
- Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve chilled as a refreshing Mediterranean side dish or light meal.
Notes
- You can add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or use a plant-based feta alternative.
- This salad is perfect for meal prep and can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 10mg