CONTAINS SOME AFFILIATE LINKS (SEE DISCLOSURE POLICY)
Have you ever brought a dish to a potluck and had no one eat it? Well, it’s happened to me. And it’s happened more than once. And it’s not fun. In fact, it downright sucks. Maybe it’s a timing thing or a table placement issue, but it’s still disheartening to look over and see that your dish has barely been touched. If this has happened to you and you want to avoid it in the future, then make this Greek Pasta Salad- it is one of the best summer potluck dishes around! It’s easy to prepare and always a hit at any potluck or BBQ. And it’s so simple. But aren’t most good things in life?
I think that is perhaps part of the issue when my food doesn’t get eaten, I try to get too fancy and don’t remember to stick to the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid). But either way, I will go to great lengths in order to avoid bringing that food home.
During the course of the potluck, I find myself glancing over at the table, monitoring the progress of my dish. And if I see it’s not getting eaten, I sort of go into a bit of panic mode. Out of pure desperation, I have actually asked people if they’ve tried the dish, then hinted to them how great it is and directed them to it’s placement on the table. It’s pathetic, I know, but I just can’t stand to put all that work into something and have it just sit there or go to waste, especially when I know how damn good it is! And I definitely don’t want to be taking it home.
Potluck FAIL!
I was taught that you don’t take home your leftovers – they are for the host. So, unless your host insists you take it home, which is a sure sign of food failure, taking home your potluck leftovers is not only an admission of failure, it’s tacky.
And it’s really the same principal as purging stuff from my house. Once I drop that dish off on the potluck table, as far as I’m concerned, it’s gone; I have officially parted with it. I don’t want it back and have no more room for it in my life. Although my kids constantly beg me to bring leftovers home, I will do just about anything to avoid leaving a potluck with leftovers in tow, including abandonment.
So, if you don’t want to leave the potluck, shamelessly with leftovers in hand, then keep it simple and make this easy Greek Pasta Salad made with feta, cucumbers and tomatoes. It’s such a yummy, refreshing and healthy summer salad, you’ll be lucky if there’s any left!
And if you are looking for summer BBQ side dish ideas, this healthy Greek Pasta Salad is perfect to whip up on a hot summer day. I double up the recipe if serving a large group. You can make this pasta salad recipe a day ahead or prepare it quickly right before you need it – it doesn’t take long. Oh and no oven required, just stove top!
Happy potlucking!
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I have this knife and LOVE it!
Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups tri-color rotini or any spiral pasta
- 1/4 cup medium red onion diced
- 1 large tomato diced
- 1/2 a seedless cucumber diced
- 1 red pepper seeded and diced
- 3/4 cup light feta cheese
- 1/2 cup black Kalamata olives I also use the pre-sliced ones if I feel extra lazy -they don't look as nice, but they save you the hassle of dealing with pits and/or chopping
- 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 tsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp each chopped fresh mint and basil
Instructions
- Cook pasta in water until tender, but still firm. Drain and rinse with cool water until cooled.
- In large serving bowl, combine cooked pasta and remaining ingredients, tossing well. Serve.
- May be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Notes
Nutrition
If you like Greek Pasta, you may also like:
This post is part of The Country Cook’s Weekend Potluck!
chef mimi says
June 27, 2016 at 1:39 pmWhat lovely ingredients!
Food Meanderings says
June 27, 2016 at 4:18 pmThank you – yes, nice and summery and healthy!
Sue Slaght says
June 28, 2016 at 9:26 amI love Greek Salad ans this looks like a great way to make it into a complete meal. Best of all easy and that is the number one requirement for me. 🙂
Food Meanderings says
June 28, 2016 at 2:14 pmThanks, Sue! Yes, it can definitely be a complete meal-especially if you want to keep it vegetarian!
anotherday2paradise says
June 29, 2016 at 11:29 amLooks so yummy and easy too.
Food Meanderings says
June 29, 2016 at 5:49 pmThanks – yes, it’s very easy and tasty!
apuginthekitchen says
June 29, 2016 at 4:57 pmLovely blog and the salad is gorgeous. Thank you for following my blog also!!
Food Meanderings says
June 29, 2016 at 5:48 pmThank you -you as well!
Sheryl says
June 29, 2016 at 6:53 pmThe Greek Salad looks wonderful. I’ve also gotten some of my favorite recipes from friends and co-workers.
Food Meanderings says
June 29, 2016 at 7:58 pmThanks, Sheryl! Yes, potlucks are one of the best sources for awesome recipe finds!
TheFirst365Days.com says
July 6, 2016 at 8:53 amYum!! What great pictures and recipes. Look forward to following along. xoxo http://www.thefirst365days.com
Food Meanderings says
July 6, 2016 at 9:29 amThank you for following! I also look forward to following your blog!
Elaine says
March 16, 2018 at 8:44 amTerri, I can’t imagine this salad being overlooked at a potluck. It would probably be the first to go, as who doesn’t love pasta salad? And now that there are so many great choices in gluten-free pastas, this is a recipe that anyone can make. I love this Greek twist on traditional pasta salad!
Terri Gilson says
March 16, 2018 at 6:17 pmThanks so much, Elaine! I really need to keep it simple (like this) when it comes to potlucks!
Nick @ GreekBoston.com says
March 16, 2018 at 9:30 amThis is getting me excited for summer. I love a good BBQ and pasta salad is a staple! Of course, you can make it any time of year but it’s better in the summer 🙂
Terri Gilson says
March 16, 2018 at 6:18 pmI so agree, Nick!Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
Kaitie says
March 16, 2018 at 10:40 amThis looks perfect for a potluck (or just easy lunches for the week). And I agree – it’s ya key to bring home the leftovers UNLESS the hosts insist! 🙂
Terri Gilson says
March 16, 2018 at 5:28 pmthanks, Kaitie!
Colleen says
March 16, 2018 at 9:22 pmThis delicious salad would never be ignored at any potluck. It’s fresh, pretty, and tasty AF! Great job, Terri.