Best 7 Grecian Inspired Macaroni Salad Recipes

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Transport yourself to the sun-kissed shores of Greece with our Grecian-inspired macaroni salad, a delightful symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This vibrant dish combines the classic elements of a traditional macaroni salad with a unique Greek twist, resulting in a refreshing and flavorful side dish perfect for any occasion. The salad features a medley of tender macaroni, crisp vegetables, and succulent olives, all tossed in a tangy and aromatic dressing infused with the flavors of the Mediterranean. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, planning a potluck, or simply looking for a light and refreshing meal, this Grecian-inspired macaroni salad will surely be a hit.

In addition to the main recipe, this article also includes variations and additional recipes to cater to different preferences and dietary needs. For those who prefer a vegetarian option, there's a meatless version that replaces the ham with roasted red peppers and artichoke hearts, providing a delightful combination of flavors and textures. If you're looking for a gluten-free alternative, we've got you covered with a recipe that uses quinoa instead of macaroni, offering a healthy and delicious twist on this classic dish. And for those with a sweet tooth, there's a dessert recipe for a delectable Greek yogurt parfait, layered with creamy yogurt, fresh fruit, and a drizzle of honey, making it a perfect ending to your Grecian-inspired culinary journey.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

GREEK MACARONI SALAD



Greek Macaroni Salad image

I've found that I can't go wrong taking this colorful bean and pasta salad to a potluck, patio party or picnic. It is easy to put together ahead of time...and the flavors blend as the salad chills. -Cheryl Maczko Arthurdale, West Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
4 medium plum tomatoes, chopped
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can (6 ounces) pitted ripe olives
1 package (4 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, tomatoes, beans, onion, olives, feta cheese, salt, pepper and garlic. , In a small bowl, whisk oil and lemon juice. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Stir before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 278 calories, Fat 19g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 690mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 7g protein.

GREEK PASTA SALAD WITH FETA AND OLIVES



Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives image

Tomato, cucumber, feta, olives and pasta are tossed with an oregano vinaigrette for a filling Greek-style salad.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 30m

Yield 4-6

Number Of Ingredients 11

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 small shallot, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
8 ounces dried ziti
1 cup chopped cucumber
1/2 cup crumbled feta
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives, chopped
2 medium vine-ripe tomatoes, chopped

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, shallot, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl.
  • Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; add to the bowl with the dressing.
  • Add the cucumber, feta, parsley, olives and tomatoes to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.

GREEK PASTA SALAD



Greek Pasta Salad image

Great summer pasta salad.

Provided by Danielle Laroche

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 3h30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 cups penne pasta
¼ cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
⅔ cup extra-virgin olive oil
10 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 small red onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
½ cucumber, sliced
½ cup sliced black olives
½ cup crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the penne, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Rinse with cold water and drain well in a colander set in the sink.
  • Whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Set aside. Combine pasta, tomatoes, onion, green and red peppers, cucumber, olives, and feta cheese in a large bowl. Pour vinaigrette over the pasta and mix together. Cover and chill for 3 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 306.6 calories, Carbohydrate 19.3 g, Cholesterol 14 mg, Fat 23.6 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 5.4 g, SaturatedFat 5.2 g, Sodium 258.1 mg, Sugar 2.8 g

GREEK PASTA SALAD



Greek Pasta Salad image

Pasta salad in general is a summer staple, but this Greek pasta salad will be your new favorite. It's packed with veggies, just like a traditional Greek salad.

Categories     side dish

Time 25m

Yield 6-8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 16-ounce box bow tie pasta
1/2 c. olive oil
1/3 c. red wine vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 pt. grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 c. chopped red onion
1 1/2 c. chopped cucumber
1 c. pitted kalamata olives, chopped
1/4 c. capers, drained (optional)
1/2 c. chopped fresh herbs, such as mint, dill or parsley
1/2 c. crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and let cool.
  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Add the tomatoes and red onions, and let sit for 10 minutes. Add the cooled pasta, cucumbers, olives, capers, and herbs. Mix well to combine and dress the pasta.
  • Top with crumbled feta cheese.

GREEK PASTA SALAD



Greek pasta salad image

For a fresh idea with pasta, try Greek salad

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Buffet, Dinner, Lunch, Pasta, Side dish, Snack, Supper

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 6

300g fusilli pasta spirals - or you can use farfalle (butterflies) or penne (quill tubes)
225g bag prepared fresh baby spinach
250g punnet cherry tomatoes , halved
100g black olive (we bought kalamata from the deli counter)
200g feta cheese , broken into rough chunks
3 tbsp olive oil

Steps:

  • Tip the fusilli into a large pan of boiling salted water and boil for 10 minutes. Throw in the spinach, stir well and boil for another 2 minutes. Drain into a colander or sieve and leave to drip-dry.
  • Tip the tomatoes, olives and feta into a big bowl, grind lots of black pepper over and then drizzle with the olive oil.
  • Toss in the drained pasta and spinach, and let everyone help themselves.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 418 calories, Fat 23 grams fat, SaturatedFat 8 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 37 grams carbohydrates, Fiber 5 grams fiber, Protein 18 grams protein, Sodium 3.48 milligram of sodium

GREEK-INSPIRED GEMELLI PASTA SALAD



Greek-Inspired Gemelli Pasta Salad image

Go Greek with this delicious Greek-inspired pasta salad!

Provided by Annie Pfannkoch

Categories     Pasta by Shape

Time 35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 14

½ cup olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (16 ounce) package gemelli pasta
3 cups firmly packed baby spinach leaves
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 (6 ounce) container crumbled feta cheese
½ cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved
¾ medium English cucumber, peeled and diced
½ large red onion, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, Dijon, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add gemelli and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 to 11 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Drain again.
  • Transfer gemelli to a large bowl. Add spinach, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, cucumber, and red onion. Toss with dressing and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 424.3 calories, Carbohydrate 47.8 g, Cholesterol 18.9 mg, Fat 21.8 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 11.6 g, SaturatedFat 5.6 g, Sodium 552.2 mg, Sugar 3.5 g

GREEK-STYLE PASTA SALAD



Greek-Style Pasta Salad image

Perfect for a potluck, this pairing of rotini, salami, olives and more has mass appeal.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Side Dish

Time 30m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 16

2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano leaves or 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
3 cups uncooked rotini pasta (8 oz)
4 oz hard salami slices, quartered
1 medium cucumber, seeded, cut into chunks (1 1/4 cups)
1 small green bell pepper, cut into thin bite-sized strips
1 small red bell pepper, cut into thin bite-sized strips
2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges, then cut in half
1/2 cup sliced kalamata or other Greek olives
1/4 cup sliced fresh basil leaves or 2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
6 oz feta cheese, crumbled (1 1/2 cups)

Steps:

  • In blender or food processor bowl, place all dressing ingredients. Cover; blend on medium speed about 20 seconds or until smooth; set aside.
  • Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Rinse with cold water to cool; drain.
  • In 4-quart bowl, place pasta and remaining salad ingredients. Add dressing; toss gently. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 340, Carbohydrate 24 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Fat 3 1/2, Fiber 2 g, Protein 9 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 710 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 0 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients. Fresh vegetables, flavorful cheese, and a good quality olive oil will make all the difference in the taste of your salad.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. This means that it should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it.
  • Let the pasta cool completely before adding the other ingredients. This will help to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
  • Use a light hand when dressing the salad. You don't want to overpower the flavors of the other ingredients.
  • Serve the salad immediately or chill it for later. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Grecian-inspired macaroni salad is a delicious and refreshing side dish that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own preferences. With a few simple tips, you can make a macaroni salad that will impress your friends and family. So next time you are looking for a tasty and easy side dish, give this Greek-inspired macaroni salad a try. You won't be disappointed!

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