Mike's Chilled Greek Feta Salad

MMOBRIEN
MMOBRIEN @cook_2891564
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

This incredibly easy, absolutely delicious and versatile colorful summertime salad pairs great with most any main dish. It's chilly, crispy, cheesy, tangy and toothy! Know that this salad is much better with several hours chill time. Or, even served the following day. It's also a perfect side dish for picnics and barbecues!

Mike's Chilled Greek Feta Salad

This incredibly easy, absolutely delicious and versatile colorful summertime salad pairs great with most any main dish. It's chilly, crispy, cheesy, tangy and toothy! Know that this salad is much better with several hours chill time. Or, even served the following day. It's also a perfect side dish for picnics and barbecues!

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Ingredients

15 mins
8 servings
  1. Greek Feta Salad
  2. 1 box (12 oz)Multi Colored Rotini Pasta
  3. 2 (8 oz)Boxes ATHENOS Feta Cheese Chunks [1/4" chop]
  4. 5 ozShreadded Parmesan Cheese
  5. 1/4 CupSun Dried Tomatoes [in oil - chopped]
  6. 1 canArtichokes In Water [drained - chopped]
  7. 1/2large Red - Green - Yellow - Orange Bell Pepper [chopped]
  8. 1 canBlack Olives [drained - sliced in half]
  9. 1large Cucumber [peeled - chopped]
  10. 1 (10.5 oz)Cherry Tomatoes [sliced in half]
  11. 1/2 cupChopped Green Onions
  12. 1Purple Onion [chopped]
  13. 1/2 BunchFresh Parsley [rough chop]
  14. 1Fresh Cracked Black Pepper [to taste]
  15. 2 tbspFresh Basil [optional]
  16. 1 cupBanana Peppers [optional]
  17. 2 (16 oz)Bottles Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing [reserve one bottle]

Cooking Instructions

15 mins
  1. 1

    Clean, chop and drain all vegetables. Refrigerate until pasta is ready and cooled down.

  2. 2

    Chop Feta Cheese chunks in semi large chunks and add to vegetables. They will fall apart slightly when mixed with the dressing.

  3. 3

    Shred Parmesan Cheese if not already shreadded.

  4. 4

    Bring a large pot of water to a steady boil and add 1/2 tsp salt and a splash of oil.

    Pour pasta into boiling water, stirring occasionally and cover for 8 minutes. Or, as per box directions. I'll boil my noodles al dente [just under manufacturers directions] for a toothier chew.

  5. 5

    Drain noodles and place pasta in a large bowl.

    Immediately add your entire bottle of Italian Dressing to your pasta and mix well.

    This step is important. Especially if you're serving this dish the same day. Your pasta will instantly begin to absorb your dressing while hot.

    Allow pasta to cool naturally on the counter.

  6. 6

    Also another great dressing option!

  7. 7

    After pasta has cooled off - add all of your chopped chilled vegetables and cheeses. Gently fold them in.

    Refrigerate salad for several hours - gently mixing occasionally.

    As needed - add your reserved bottle of dressing if you feel your salad is firming up too much with the addition of cheese.

  8. 8

    Authors Notes:

    #1: I've tried the most expensive Italian Dressings and most of the more cost effective ones. One of the best I've found to date is Kraft Zesty Italian for flavor and price.

    #2: The flavor of this salad is exponentially better the following day.

    #3: Stir entire batch of salad from the base upwards each time before serving dishes for best flavor.

    Enjoy!

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MMOBRIEN
MMOBRIEN @cook_2891564
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ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
I'm a Certified Sushi Chef, Certified Culinary Youth Instructor [6 thru 21 year olds] Licensed CYFD Foster Parent, Certified Mixologist, avid Scuba and Spear Diver, fisherman, camper, big game hunter and crazy avid gardener. Hense my love for the year round super fresh meats, seafoods and crispy fresh vegetables my students have consistently listed for your families picky approval!With that, cooking, teaching and feeding others are obviously 3 of my absolute passions in life. My culinary specialties as an easy going Chef include Asian, Mexican, Cajun, BBQing, Grilling, Irish Pub food, Low Country foods, anything seafood related, extra spicy foods, fresh meat, extra fresh vegetables, US comfort, kid friendly and super fast, quick and easy foods. But, I'll literally put anything in my mouth at least once. Pfft! My daddy didn't nickname me, "Goat," at two years of age for nothin'! Yup! I'll literally put anything in my mouth at least once!P.S. Most ALL of my recipes posted on this site were soley submitted by my youngest 6, 7 and 8 year old culinary students. Mostly recipes for the homeless and battered women's shelters they regularly cook for. That means ANYONE can make these super easy, crazy delicious recipes!Lastly, my only culinary motto? Be sure to marry a Cook or a Chef. After all, looks fade. Hunger sure as hell doesn't." Anyway, hit me up with any questions. I'm happy to help all y'all out if I possibly can!
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Comments (3)

saiandelismom
saiandelismom @cook_3795813
added pepperoni cubes. awesome flavor combination!

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