Creamy Strawberry Feta Pasta Salad Recipe
This creamy strawberry feta pasta salad combines tender pasta with fresh strawberries, crisp romaine lettuce, creamy avocado, tangy feta cheese, and crunchy almonds, all tossed in a luscious Greek yogurt-based dressing infused with apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds. Perfect as a refreshing, make-ahead side dish or light meal, it’s colorful, flavorful, and packed with nutritious ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing:
- 2/3 cup (160g) plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup (60g/ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup (56g/60ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup (85g) honey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (or 1/2 teaspoon ground dry mustard)
- 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
Salad:
- 1 pound (454g) uncooked pasta (such as rotini or penne)
- 3 cups (about 150g) chopped romaine lettuce
- 1–1.5 lbs. (454–681g) fresh strawberries, sliced
- 3/4 cup (113g) crumbled feta cheese
- 2 avocados, diced
- 3/4 cup (85g) sliced almonds
- Optional add-ins: chickpeas, grilled chicken, cooked shrimp, or cooked salmon
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Prepare the pasta according to package directions until it is al dente. Once cooked, drain it and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside.
- Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, honey, salt, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped romaine lettuce, sliced strawberries, crumbled feta cheese, diced avocado, and sliced almonds. If using, add any optional chickpeas, grilled chicken, cooked shrimp, or cooked salmon at this stage. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss until all components are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. For best results, make ahead and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Notes
- The salad can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; however, adding avocado just before serving helps maintain its color and freshness.
- Choose your favorite pasta shape that holds dressing well, such as rotini, penne, or fusilli.
- Optional proteins like chickpeas, grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon can be added to make the salad a more substantial meal.
- Make sure to rinse the pasta under cold water to prevent it from continuing to cook and to cool it properly for the salad.
- If preferred, honey can be substituted with maple syrup for a slightly different flavor.
Keywords: strawberry feta pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, Greek yogurt dressing, summer pasta salad, healthy pasta salad
