Crispy Greek Pasta Salad
This Greek Pasta Salad is the perfect combination of fresh veggies, savory olives, and a tangy, flavorful dressing. With orzo pasta, chickpeas, pepperoncini peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and a sprinkle of fresh basil, it’s a quick and easy dish that’s perfect for weekly meals or potlucks. Ready in just 15 minutes, this vibrant, healthy salad will become a new favorite!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 16oz box of orzo pasta, cooked and drained
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup rice vinegar (based on preference)
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, chopped
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (with oil), chopped
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, chopped
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (soak in pepperoncini juice while pasta cooks)
- 1 bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 1–2 handfuls spinach, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
- Optional: Vegan feta cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Orzo: Cook the orzo pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta is cooking, chop the kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoncini peppers, bell pepper, red onion, spinach, and basil.
- Soak Chickpeas: Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then soak them in pepperoncini juice while the pasta is cooking to infuse some flavor.
- Combine: In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoncini peppers, chickpeas, bell pepper, red onion, spinach, and basil.
- Season: Drizzle with rice vinegar, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. If desired, add vegan feta for extra flavor.
- Toss and Serve: Mix everything together until well combined and serve immediately, or refrigerate for later.
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the amount of rice vinegar based on your taste preference for tanginess.
- If you’re not vegan, regular feta can be used instead of vegan feta.
- This salad is even better after a few hours in the fridge, so it’s perfect for meal prep or make-ahead meals.
- You can add other veggies like cucumber or cherry tomatoes for extra freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Find it online: https://grandmarecipesflash.com/crispy-greek-pasta-salad/