All the flavors of a Greek salad are mixed with tortellini to make this Greek Pasta Salad – the perfect light summer dinner or side dish!
What kinds of food do you think of when you think about summer? I immediately think of ice cream, anything with berries or peaches, grilled everything, and pasta salad! Pasta salad is just such a perfect summery food. It is great for picnics or a light dinner. My absolute favorite kind of regular salad is a Greek salad, so I turned it into a pasta salad – Tortellini Greek Pasta Salad.
As I’m writing this, it is actually Thursday evening. I’m on a flight to San Francisco! So I have 6 hours and 30 minutes to write this. Gosh it is a long flight from NYC to SF – but it is a great time to get some blog work done. I’ve edited three sets of pictures already and it has only been an hour! Only 5+ more hours to go….and I already ate my dinner…this is going to be a long night!
But it is totally worth it. I love San Francisco, and I’m so excited to have a long weekend there with my cousin and my aunt!
Now that I’m getting around to posting this, it is already Friday morning here and it is the most gorgeous day. Here is my current view:
I could get used to blogging in these conditions! Follow me on Instagram to see more pictures from my trip!
I love using tortellini in pasta salad – they are delicious, so easy to eat, and they are a bit more filling that normal pasta. I love that when we are having pasta salad for dinner!
Greek salad is my absolute favorite salad ever. I loaded this pasta salad with fresh grape tomatoes, cucumbers (the English kind, so you don’t have to peel them!), kalamata olives, and feta cheese. I also added spinach, which isn’t traditional in Greek salad, but I love adding more veggies to my pasta salad. It really helps to turn a simple side dish into a light dinner.
The dressing on this pasta salad is a simple lemon vinaigrette, flavored with oregano. It is light and fresh and has the exact flavors you would find on a traditional Greek salad.
Time to go enjoy this amazing day in San Francisco. I hope you all have a great weekend!
All the flavors of a Greek salad are mixed with tortellini to make this Greek Pasta Salad - the perfect light summer dinner or side dish!
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz package cheese tortellini (I like Barilla
)
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice (about one large lemon)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup sliced kalamata olives
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Cook tortellini according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, make the dressing. Whisk together zest, juice, salt, sugar, pepper, and oregano. Slowly stream in olive oil, whisking constantly to combine.
- Drain the tortellini, transfer to a large bowl, and toss with half the dressing. I like to use a rubber spatula to toss so that I don't damage the pasta. Add the spinach to the hot pasta and stir. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes, cucumber, and rest of the dressing and toss to combine. Stir in olives and feta. Let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes. Serve at room temperature, topping with extra oregano and pepper if desired.
Here are some of my other favorite light meals:
Lentil Salad with Olives, Mint and Feta
Avocado Hummus, served with tons of fresh veggies and pita chips
Quinoa Salad with Asparagus, Tomatoes, and Basil Vinaigrette
I love a Greek twist on fun dishes! Your salad is making me drool, Cate … in a completely attractive way of course. 😉 Pinning! Enjoy San Francisco!
Thanks Justine!! I love Greek food!
I think of ice cream and pasta salads for summer food. 🙂 I love tortellini and I’m loving this Greek twist to them! Have a great weekend!!
Thanks Tina – you too!!
Wow Cate, your tortellini pasta looks awesome. Enjoy your San Francisco trip. I’ve been once and would love to go back again.
Thanks so much, Julie! SF is such a great city!!
I definitely think of pasta salad as a summer food. Love that you used tortellini in this Greek version. It could totally be a main dish or a side. Hope you are having a wonderful time in San Francisco!
You had me at Greek and tortellini! What a delicious side or main dish. The noodles and feta and spinach are amazing!
That pasta salad looks like I could eat it every day!
I love easy pasta salads in the summer! They’re so great, especially for entertaining!
Oh, you’re in my neck of the woods, Cate! I live in the East Bay, but it’s funny, because the photo of the view where you’re staying is right by where I went to cooking school (it was on Francisco at Tante Marie). I hope you have a wonderful visit in SF!
I always think about Greek food in the summer especially, when tomatoes are the best. This tortellini salad looks like the perfect meal! 🙂
Cate, this looks fantastic! I love pasta salads for summer, so light and fresh, and I’m loving that you made it greek! San Francisco is such a wonderful place to visit! I hope you have so much fun!!
Oh Cate, this looks sooooooo good. Growing up, my family and I went to Greece every.single.year! Sometimes twice a year until I was around 18/19 yrs old! I was fussy with food as a child, and back then and the only thing I’d eat over in Greece was nothing more than a [you guessed it] … a Greek salad! This definitely brings back nostalgic memories which make me happy. 🙂 Love Feta cheese. Have you tried tzatsiki too?
As I got older, I delved more into the world of Greek food over there and I pretty much love it all. Such a pity I can’t afford to go back an adult. My eldest daughter is in Greece right now on holiday (vacation) right now. Jealous isn’t the word I’d use, LOL.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
What a great summer dish… it would be a great side for a backyard bbq too! Hope you are having a blast in San Fran!!!
Looks delish Cate! Pinned for sure!
Have a great week!
My husband would just love this salad! He can’t get enough of greek flavors, especially olives. yum!
pasta salad is one of my favorite summer foods. this sounds wonderful!
Cate, I am drooling big time over this gorgeous salad! Tortellini pasta salads are my favorite and I bet this is phenomenal with the Greek twist. Can’t wait to make a big bowl of this for summer BBQs. Have fun in SF!
Wow your view is awesome! Hope you have fun. I love the combination of pasta and greek salad. Sounds delicious! 🙂
You’re in my head!!! I think of the exact same foods for summer!!! I LOVE hearty salads – and this looks AMAZING!! I can’t wait to make it – yummy Greek food!! My husband will pass on the olives … so that means more for me!! Yay and YUM! I would totally eat this for dinner!
Greek salad is my favorite- love this pasta salad twist. Looks so fresh and delicious! Hope you had an amazing time in San Francisco!
Have a super fun trip! And YUM YUM YUM to this salad. Tortellini for pasta salads is my favorite, and I always love these Greek flavors!
YOU ARE IN MY CITY. I’m dying – need to know everywhere you sent ASAP!