Greek Pasta Salad

When it comes to the typical American BBQ/cookout/summer picnic, I honestly hate just about everything about them.

Soda, pretzel and chip “appetizers”, flat as a pancake overcooked hamburgers and most of all, mayo laden pasta salads.

Mayonnaise is just gross.

It’s not even about its health factor (or lack there of ), it’s just nastiness in a jar.

And unfortunately, we think it’s a great idea to slather it all about perfectly good potatoes and pasta, shove it in plastic containers and call it a day.

Not my thing.

That’s just not how it should go down, people.

So as we go into the last “official” summer cookout weekend of the year, let’s do that pasta salad side some justice.

Let’s fill it with chunks of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, season it up with dill and lemon and most importantly, leave the mayo in the fridge and grab the Greek yogurt instead.

I did this with the classic creamy cucumber salad to give it a healthy spin and I’m doing it with this Greek pasta salad too. For this buffalo chicken pasta salad, I use plain Bulgarian yogurt which is very similar.

If you prefer non-creamy pasta salads, take a look at this balsamic tofu pasta salad. Just as tasty minus the “gooey” part.

You can use whatever pasta type or shape you like though.

For a gluten-free version of this pasta salad, try something like red lentil pasta or brown rice pasta.

In fact, speaking of brown rice, my brown rice penne with lamb and mint pesto is another Greek inspired pasta dish that’s absolutely delicious. It could be served cold too!

If you’re looking for a lower-carb side dish with all the same Greek flavors, try this keto Greek salad.

I’m betting no one will be complaining that the deli mush container of the usual stuff is MIA once they taste this Greek pasta salad.

Happy end of summer!

More Greek inspired recipes to try:
Greek Shrimp Skillet
Greek Brown Rice Bowls
Lemon Spinach Feta Pasta
Greek Stuffed Whole Red Snapper
Greek Potato Casserole