Greek Macaroni Salad

July 19, 2021
Loaded with Greek-inspired mix-ins like fresh tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and Feta cheese, Greek Macaroni Salad is chock full of fabulous flavor. With its olive oil and fresh lemon juice based dressing, it's a wonderfully delicious no-mayonnaise version of macaroni salad.

Greek Macaroni Salad Image

Love macaroni salad? Love the flavors of a great Greek salad? -- Put them together with this super tasty Greek Macaroni Salad recipe!

Loaded with Greek-inspired mix-ins like fresh tomatoes, chopped cucumber, Kalamata olives, and Feta cheese, Greek Macaroni Salad is chock full of fabulous flavor. It's like eating your favorite Greek salad in pasta salad form. -- Minus the lettuce, that is. But hey, I'll swap out lettuce for pasta any day of the week.

Loaded with Greek-inspired mix-ins like fresh tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and Feta cheese, Greek Macaroni Salad is chock full of fabulous flavor.

With its olive oil and fresh lemon juice based dressing, Greek Macaroni Salad is a wonderfully delicious no-mayonnaise version of macaroni salad. So if you're one who likes to forgo the mayo, this salad is a great option for you.

But not only is Greek Macaroni Salad tasty, it's pretty too.  With all the bright colors of the mix-ins contrasting against the macaroni noodles, it makes for one quite beautiful presentation, indeed.

Delicious and beautiful, too? -- What more can you ask for in a macaroni salad? It's a fabulous summertime and anytime side.

Bowl of Greek Macaroni Salad Image

Greek Macaroni Salad Ingredients:

Its combination of Greek-inspired ingredients make Greek Macaroni Salad taste amazing.

For the salad base, you'll need:
  • Large elbow macaroni - The bigger size of large macaroni noodles go well with and nicely compliment the size of the salad's other ingredients. However, regular elbow macaroni can be substituted for the large, if you'd like. 

  • Garbanzo beans (chickpeas) - Use one 15-ounce of garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed.

  • Cherry or grape tomatoes - Any small tomato, halved, will work. Our favorite is the sweetness of grape tomatoes.

  • Cucumber - Use regular or seedless English cucumber. Leave the peel on for nice color.

  • Kalamata olives - A classic Greek salad ingredient. You could use black olives instead, though we much prefer the flavor of Kalamata olives in this macaroni salad.

  • Red onion - Red is the onion variety typically used in Greek salads. That being said, substitute a different onion (such as white or sweet Vidalia) if you prefer.

  • Feta cheese - A signature Greek salad topping. Use a tub of pre-crumbled Feta, or purchase a block and crumble it yourself.

  • Fresh parsley - Chopped fresh parsley adds vibrant color accents throughout the finished salad.

For the dressing, you'll need:
  • Extra virgin olive oil - Creates the base of the dressing.

  • Fresh lemon juice - The dressing's predominant flavor. I strongly recommend sticking with fresh lemon juice rather than substituting bottled -- bottled just won't bring the same light, crisp flavor.

  • Garlic - One small clove of fresh garlic, finely minced or pressed, beautifully flavors the dressing without a harsh garlic taste.

  • Salt, pepper, & dried oregano - Seasoned simply, these round out the dressing's flavor.

Greek Macaroni Salad Ingredients Image

How to Make Greek Macaroni Salad:

Greek Macaroni Salad is pretty easy to make. Cook some macaroni, do a little chopping, whisk up a quick dressing to stir together with everything, and you're good to go.

To make a bowl, start by cooking the macaroni in salted water, according to its package directions. Then drain and rinse the cooked noodles under cold water to cool the macaroni down.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked-and-cooled macaroni with some garbanzo beans, halved cherry or grape tomatoes, chopped cucumber, Kalamata olives, red onion, crumbled Feta, and chopped parsley.

How to Make Greek Macaroni Salad Image

Then whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and dried oregano to make the dressing.

Greek Macaroni Salad Dressing Image

Pour the dressing over the salad and give it a good, gentle toss until everything's well coated. 

Cover and refrigerate the salad for about an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Though, this macaroni salad does keep well and can be stored in the refrigerator longer than that prior to serving if need be. You can mix up Greek Macaroni Salad a day in advance or so, no problem.

Give the salad a little stir before serving to redistribute any dressing that's settled in the bottom of the bowl. And then you're good to go to enjoy the Greek Macaroni Salad deliciousness!

Greek Macaroni Salad with Kalamata Olives, Feta, and Chickpeas Image

So if you're looking for a wonderfully flavorful no-mayo macaroni salad that just so happens to be pretty, too, give this Greek Macaroni Salad recipe a try.

Because loaded with Greek-inspired mix-ins like fresh tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and Feta cheese, Greek Macaroni Salad is also chock full of fabulous flavor. With its olive oil and fresh lemon juice dressing, it's a wonderfully delicious no-mayonnaise macaroni salad.


Serving Spoon of Greek Macaroni Salad Image
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Greek macaroni salad recipe, Greek pasta salad recipe, no mayonnaise macaroni salad
Salads
Greek
Yield: about 8-10 servings
Greek Macaroni Salad

Greek Macaroni Salad

Loaded with Greek-inspired mix-ins like fresh tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and Feta cheese, Greek Macaroni Salad is chock full of fabulous flavor. With its olive oil and fresh lemon juice based dressing, it's a wonderfully delicious no-mayonnaise version of macaroni salad.
Prep time: 30 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 50 Min

Ingredients

Salad:
  • 1 & 1/2 c. large elbow macaroni
  • 1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained & rinsed
  • 1 c. halved cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 1 c. chopped cucumber (unpeeled)
  • 1/2 c. pitted Kalamata olives
  • 1/2 c. chopped red onion
  • 4 oz. crumbled Feta cheese
  • 1/3 c. chopped fresh parsley
Dressing:
  • 1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 c. fresh lemon juice (about 1 - 1 & 1/2 lemons)
  • 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano

Instructions

Prepare the Salad:
  1. Cook macaroni in salted water, according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine cooked macaroni, garbanzo beans, tomatoes, cucumber, Kalamata olives, red onion, Feta, and parsley.
Prepare the Dressing:
  1. Place olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano in a small bowl. Whisk together until well combined.
  2. Pour over salad and toss to coat.
  3. Cover and refrigerate salad for about an hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
TRACEY'S NOTES:
  1. Regular elbow macaroni can be substituted for the large macaroni noodles, if you'd like. We do, however, love how the size of the large noodles go well with and nicely compliment the size of the salad's other ingredients.
  2. Give the salad a little stir before serving to redistribute any dressing that settles in the bottom of the bowl.
  3. This macaroni salad keeps well and can be made a day in advance of serving, no problem.


Greek Macaroni Salad ~ Loaded with Greek-inspired mix-ins like fresh tomatoes, Kalamata olives, & Feta cheese, Greek Macaroni Salad is chock full of fabulous flavor. With its olive oil & fresh lemon juice based dressing, it's a wonderfully delicious no-mayonnaise version of macaroni salad.  www.thekitchenismyplayground.com



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3 comments

  1. So delicious looking and perfect for summer meals. So glad you share so many great recipes with us each week. #HomeMattersParty

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love salads and this looks incredible. I can’t wait to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. We will just love your Greek Macaroni Salad, it looks delicious! We are featuring your post on Full Plate Thursday,548 this week. Thanks so much for sharing with us and hope to see you again soon!
    Miz Helen

    ReplyDelete

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