Grecian Inspired Macaroni Salad Recipes

GREEK PASTA SALAD WITH FETA AND OLIVES

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-STYLE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt; drain.
• Place pasta in large bowl. Add remaining ingredients; mix lightly.

GREEK PASTA SALAD

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.

GREEK PASTA SALAD

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.

GREEK MACARONI SALAD

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.

GREEK-INSPIRED GEMELLI PASTA SALAD

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.

KIDS' PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a medium saucepan with hot water from the tap until it's three-quarters full. Set the pan on the hob. Season the water with a pinch of salt, then turn the heat to medium-high - the water should start to boil after a minute or so. Slowly tip the pasta into the boiling water - do this carefully, as any splashes could burn your skin.
• Holding the handle of the saucepan with one hand (use a cloth if it's hot), carefully stir the pasta with a long wooden spoon in the other hand - this will prevent the pasta from sticking together. Set a timer for 10 mins. Stir the pasta every minute or so, and keep checking the heat to make sure the water is gently boiling while the timer counts down.
• While the pasta cooks, measure 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar and 1 tsp dried oregano into a mixing bowl. Season with some salt and black pepper, and mix well - this will make a zingy dressing for the pasta.
• When the timer beeps, it's time to check if the pasta is cooked. To do this, scoop one piece of pasta out of the boiling water using the wooden spoon, tip it onto a plate and leave it to cool slightly. Taste the pasta: if it's soft, it's cooked through, but if it's still a little hard in the middle, it needs to cook for a bit longer. Set the timer for another 2 mins, then check again.
• Place a large colander or sieve in the sink. When the pasta is cooked, turn off the heat and, using two hands, carefully carry the saucepan over to the sink and tip the pasta into the colander to drain away the hot water. Leave to cool for a few minutes in the colander, then tip the pasta into the mixing bowl with the dressing. Mix together until the pasta is coated in the dressing.
• Put a chopping board on a work surface. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half by pinching each one between your thumb and index finger, and carefully slicing through the middle of the tomato with a small serrated knife. Slice the pitted olives in the same way, then tip all the tomatoes and olives into the pasta.
• Put the cucumber on the chopping board and cut it in half lengthways. Lay the two halves on the board cut-side down, so they don't roll around. Cut each piece in half again, so you have four long, chunky pieces. Cut across the cucumber pieces in the other direction so you end up with small cucumber triangles. Tip these into the bowl with the pasta, tomatoes and olives.
• Put the onion on the board and hold it securely. Cut off the pointy end, then cut the onion in half through the root end. Peel away the papery outer layers until you're left with just the shiny onion underneath. Lay each onion half on the board, cut-side down so it doesn't roll around. Holding onto the root end, carefully slice the halves into half-moon shapes, as thinly as you can. Stop when you get to the root. Tip the onions into the bowl.
• Crumble the feta cheese into small pieces over the bowl, then gently mix everything together until well combined. Eat straightaway, or chill for up to a day before eating.

GREEK MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

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