By Dr. Leah Alexander | Published on September 22, 2023 | Last Updated on September 22, 2023
Costco’s Greek Pasta Salad is a classic Mediterranean-style dish that’s perfect for summer gatherings. Plus, it’s so easy to make and can easily be customized with whatever ingredients you’d like!
So if you’re looking for an impressive yet simple dish that will please everyone, look no further than this Greek Pasta Salad.
Follow our easy step-by-step instructions below for an unforgettable Mediterranean meal! We’ll walk you through how to prepare the ingredients and assemble this flavorful dish.
What is Costco’s Greek Pasta Salad?
Costco’s Greek Pasta Salad is a delicious and nutritious Mediterranean-style pasta dish. Originally served in the food court of Costco, it has quickly become one of their most popular dishes.
This classic dish is packed with colorful vegetables, feta cheese, olives, and a flavorful dressing made with red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. It’s a perfect dish for summer gatherings as it can be served both warm and cold.
Plus, you can easily customize the ingredients to make the salad your own! Whether you like spicy or sweet flavors, this dish is sure to hit the spot. So don’t hesitate to give Costco’s Greek Pasta Salad a try – you won’t regret it!
Why You’ll Love this Costco’s Greek Pasta Salad?
Costco’s Greek Pasta Salad is the perfect dish for any occasion. It’s easy to make, yet it looks and tastes like a fancy meal. Plus, it offers a lot of nutrition thanks to all the colorful vegetables that are packed in this dish.
This salad also combines some classic Mediterranean flavors such as feta cheese, olives, and a flavorful dressing that will leave your guests wanting more!
And with its vibrant colors, this salad looks as good as it tastes. So if you’re looking for an impressive yet simple dish to serve at your next gathering, this is definitely one to try!
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The Ingredients
- Cherry or grape tomatoes: This colorful addition provides a sweet, acidic flavor and juicy texture to the salad.
- English cucumber: This crunchy vegetable is an essential ingredient in this Mediterranean-inspired dish.
- Rotini, penne, or fusilli pasta: Choose your favorite type of pasta for this recipe – the combination of shapes will add an interesting texture to the final product!
- Fresh parsley or dill: This flavorful herb adds a hint of freshness and an intense aroma to the dish.
- Red onion: If you don’t like raw onions, feel free to cook them in some olive oil before adding them to the salad.
- Green and red bell peppers: Adding these vegetables will add another layer of flavor and texture to the salad.
- Kalamata olives: These olives are a classic addition to Mediterranean dishes, providing an intense flavor and unique texture.
- Feta cheese: This zesty cheese adds creaminess and saltiness to the salad, making it even more delicious!
- Red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar adds a tangy and sweet flavor to the dish.
- Extra virgin olive oil: This type of oil is essential for achieving an authentic taste.
- Dried oregano: This herb provides a unique aroma and flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic will add a subtle note of sweetness to the recipe.
- Lemon juice: This ingredient will give a punch of citrus flavor to the salad, making it even more flavorful.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the Ingredients
- Wash and prepare all of the ingredients.
- Halve the tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and thinly slice the red onion.
- Chop the bell peppers into small cubes and pit and halve the Kalamata olives.
- Chop the parsley or dill and mince the garlic.
- To make the dressing, combine the red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, dried oregano, garlic, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Whisk until combined.
Step 2
Cook The Pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add salt (1 tablespoon per quart) to the boiling water.
- Add the pasta and cook according to package directions.
- Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water until it is cool enough to handle.
Step 3
Assemble The Salad
- Transfer the cooked pasta to a large bowl.
- Add in the tomatoes, cucumber, onion, bell peppers, olives, and parsley or dill.
- Pour in the dressing and toss to combine.
- Add in the feta cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Feel free to customize this salad with your favorite ingredients. You can add in shrimp, artichoke hearts, capers, or even roasted red peppers for an extra punch of flavor.
- This salad is best served immediately after assembling to ensure that all the flavors come together.
- To make this dish vegan-friendly, omit the feta cheese or replace it with a vegan-friendly alternative.
- This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before consuming, if desired.
- For a more substantial dish, add cooked chicken or salmon for some added protein.
- You can also use any type of pasta you prefer – bow ties, shells, or even rigatoni would be delicious.
- This dish pairs nicely with a chilled glass of white wine or a refreshing beer.
Nutrition Information
How to store Costco’s Greek Pasta Salad?
Costco’s Greek Pasta Salad is best served immediately after assembling. However, it can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat before consuming if desired. This dish will stay fresh and flavorful as long as it is kept sealed and chilled.
Variations
Here are some variations to this classic recipe that you can try:
- For a light and creamy variation, add some Greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Use whole wheat pasta for added fiber and nutrition.
- If you want more heat, add some diced jalapenos or red chili flakes.
- Instead of red wine vinegar, you can also use balsamic vinegar for a more intense flavor.
- For a sweet twist, add in some sun-dried tomatoes or fresh diced mangoes.
- You can also top the salad with roasted nuts such as walnuts or almonds for added texture and crunch.
- For a protein boost, add cooked chicken, shrimp, or salmon.
Costco’s Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Equipment
- a bowl & large pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes halved
- 1 English cucumber diced
- 16 oz rotini penne, or fusilli pasta
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley or dill chopped
- 1 medium red onion thinly sliced
- 1 green and 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup Kalamata olives pitted and halved
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large lemon juiced
Instructions
- Gather and prep the ingredients. Wash and halve the tomatoes, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, chop bell peppers into small cubes, pit and halve Kalamata olives, chop parsley or dill, and mince garlic cloves. Whisk together red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, dried oregano, garlic, and lemon juice in a small bowl to make the dressing.
- Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over high heat and add the pasta. Cook according to package directions, drain, and rinse under cold water until it is cool enough to handle.
- Assemble the salad. Place cooked pasta into a large bowl. Add tomatoes, cucumber, onion, bell peppers, olives, and parsley or dill into the bowl. Pour in dressing and toss to combine. Sprinkle feta cheese over the top and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Feel free to customize this salad with your favorite ingredients. You can add in shrimp, artichoke hearts, capers, or even roasted red peppers for an extra punch of flavor.
- This salad is best served immediately after assembling to ensure that all the flavors come together.
- To make this dish vegan-friendly, omit the feta cheese or replace it with a vegan-friendly alternative.
- This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before consuming, if desired.
- For a more substantial dish, add cooked chicken or salmon for some added protein.
- You can also use any type of pasta you prefer – bow ties, shells, or even rigatoni would be delicious.
- This dish pairs nicely with a chilled glass of white wine or a refreshing beer.
FAQs
Is Costco’s Greek Pasta Salad healthy?
Yes, it is! This pasta salad is loaded with colorful vegetables and a flavorful dressing that provides plenty of nutrition. Plus, you can easily customize this recipe to suit your dietary needs – use whole wheat pasta for added fiber, or add in some cooked chicken or seafood for an extra protein boost.
What can I serve with this dish?
On its own, this salad is a delicious side dish. However, you can also pair it with some grilled chicken or fish for a heartier meal. It also pairs nicely with a chilled glass of white wine or a refreshing beer.
Is this keto-friendly?
Yes! Simply omit the pasta and add in some extra vegetables for a delicious and keto-friendly dish. You can also substitute the regular feta cheese with low-fat or fat-free feta cheese.
Wrapping Up
Thank you for trying this delicious Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad! With its colorful vegetables, creamy feta cheese, and zesty dressing, it’s sure to become a favorite in your household.
Feel free to tweak the ingredients or add more of your favorites to create a unique dish. Please share this article with your friends and family if you enjoyed it!
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Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.
