Summer Greek Pasta Salad (vegan recipe)

A fresh summer pasta salad that sings with the flavours of Greece. This vegan recipe includes a zingy dressing

Summer Greek Pasta Salad

Greek pasta salad.

We've all enjoyed a really good Greek salad, especially if we've been on holiday in Greece or Cyprus.

The flavours go so well together and just scream summer.  

Ripe tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, olives, salty feta, and parsley.

I had the idea to change this into a pasta salad, as my family are big fans of pasta salad. 

We usually toss our cold pasta with pesto, sweetcorn, cherry tomatoes, sundried tomatoes and basil, so this was a nice change.

also try - Roast Pepper and Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad

Vegan Greek Salad

To make this Greek salad vegan, I used dairy-free cream cheese, which I gently rolled into balls, instead of feta cheese. 

It wasn't salty like feta, but you still get the saltiness from the olives and it worked really well.

If you are vegetarian, you could use feta cheese.

This salad is perfect for lunch, a light dinner, lunchboxes, picnics and BBQs.

Greek Salad Dressing

You wouldn't want a tangy dressing on hot pasta, but it works really well on a cold pasta salad. 

A traditional Greek salad dressing is often just olive oil and seasoning and sometimes it has some vinegar in it to. 

I made mine with olive oil, red wine vinegar and black pepper. It was very tasty.

Try it with this Easy Greek Salad Dressing

How to prepare cucumber

I hold my hands up and admit the most preparation a cucumber usuallly gets in this house is a wash before I slice it

In honour of my Greek pasta salad, I took the time to cut the cucumber in half lengthways and scoop out the soft seeds with a teaspoon. 

It does give a nice finish and is less watery, so I can see the sense in taking the time to scoop the seeds out.

I shall mend my ways from now on. 

At least for a day or two, then I shall forget and just slice it seeds and all.

also try Vegan Macaroni Salad (quick and creamy) from my other blog The Vegan Lunch Box 

How to get glossy pasta

I've said this before and I have to say it again, it's so important to make sure the pasta isn't overcooked if you want glossy firm pasta. 

Test it before the cook time (on the packet) is up and keep an eye on it. 

Soft pasta can spoil a pasta salad. 

The second step that is just as important is to rinse the pasta in a colander under cold water until the pasta is cold, then drain as much water off as you can. 

There is nothing worse than soft, claggy pasta. Follow my steps and your pasta salads will always be exceptional.

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Pinterest

Remember to follow me on Pinterest and if you make this salad click on the above pin and leave a photo of your salad with a comment telling me what you think or any changes you made. 

I love to see what my readers do with my recipes and I'm always looking for new ideas and tweaks.

TRY THIS NEXT

Creamy Mushroom & Fresh Herb Pasta Salad

If you like my Greek Pasta Salad, then you must try my Creamy Chestnut Mushroom and Fresh Herb Pasta Salad.

This is an easy pasta salad with chestnut mushrooms as the star of the show.

It's the perfect dish to take on picnics or to serve at a BBQ. Messicani pasta with mushrooms and fresh herbs in a light creamy sauce. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.