If you’re like me, you love the traditional flavors of Whole Wheat Greek Pasta Salad, but when you give it a try with whole wheat noodles, you’ve just upped your healthy foodie factor in a big way.
There I was, sitting in front of my computer staring at the deliciousness that resonated from the final edit on the summer issue of FoodieCrush magazine when the sudden craving for a salty burst of balsamic/basil/tomato flavors hit me smack in the flavor senses.
Before I get too far into the thick of the tomato, I must say a big thank you and send virtual fist pumps, high fives and air kisses to everyone who has checked out, commented, tweeted and Facebooked about the new issue and the bloggers, recipes and interviews that are featured in it’s flippable online pages.
If you haven’t taken a look yet, please do, and definitely click over to the linked food blogger’s sites to see more of their delicious tastes.
Now, back to our pasta at hand.
I’ve been on a caprese kick of late, what with my Avocado Caprese Wrap, Quinoa and Burrata Caprese Salad and a beyond the standard Caprese Sandwich (is that mozzarella too thick? NOT!) which hasn’t waned much so far as I can tell.
And this was the day that pasta had wiggled its way to my frontal cortex.
Off to the kitchen and and a quick raid of the pantry resulted in a half of a box of whole wheat noodles, some salty kalamata olives and capers and a bowl of ripe campari tomatoes.
I’d stocked up on roasted red bell peppers on my last forage of the shelves at Home Goods and found a bottle with both red and yellow roasted lovelies at the back of the shelf. All that was left was a snip or two of fresh basil from the garden and another layer of salty feta.
My sodium levels were satiated thanks to this mediterranean beauty.
While this recipe isn’t necessarily a caprese, it does incorporate a lot of the same flavors. Or as the judges say on Top Chef, “a similar flavor profile.” But since I’m not nearly as couth as they are, I’ll just tell you it’s just. good. food.
Notes about the recipe:
- This recipe makes for a great lunch or meatless meal for two. If you’re making for a crowd or the whole family as a side, just double the recipe.
- While this makes for a delicious meatless meal, it’s dang tasty topped with a half of a can of water packed tuna or a few slices of chicken breast to compliment the mediterranean flavors.
- I forgot the artichoke hearts, left them right there in their unopened can on the pantry shelf. My favorite part. You should add them for sure. I like mine packed in water.
Whole wheat pasta will be a bit more toothsome than regular flour pasta, so while it may seem undercooked, it might actually be just right. Follow the package directions for best results.
The pasta will soak up the dressing the longer it sits, especially if refrigerated, thanks to the gluten thickening up. If you must refrigerate before serving, you may want to make an extra dose of the balsamic vinaigrette to freshen up the pasta before serving.

Whole Wheat Greek Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound whole wheat penne pasta
- 2 medium tomatoes chopped or cut into 1/8ths (about 1 cup)
- 1/3 cup roasted red and/or yellow bell pepper roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons capers drained
- 1/4 cup sliced kalamata olives sliced in half
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves of garlic minced or pressed
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- pinch of sugar
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup basil slivered
- 1/4 cup feta cheese
Instructions
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Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil, add a generous dose of kosher salt and the cook whole wheat penne pasta according to package directions or until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
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While the pasta is cooking, combine the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, oregano, sugar, kosher salt and black pepper in a small mason jar or any container with a lid and shake well. Add the tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, capers and kalamata olives to a medium bowl and pour the dressing over the vegetables and let sit for 15 minutes for flavors to combine.
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Add to the pasta and basil slivers to the veggie blend and fold. Season with more kosher salt and black pepper to taste and garnish with crumbled feta cheese. Add more olive oil if the pasta seems dry. Serve and enjoy.
And now, a few more Mediterranean inspired salads from some fab food bloggers. If you’d like to Pin one of these tasty recipes, please click through to the blogger’s site to do so.
Always inventive, Kathryne melds classic Greek inspired flavors with raw zucchini and yellow squash to accent whole wheat Israeli cous cous in Cookie and Kate‘s Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Raw Squash.
Absent are the salty flavors my palate was craving, but Lindsay’s addition of shrimp, dill and cucumber more than made up for what I wasn’t missing in Pinch of Yum‘s Mediterranean flavored Shrimp and Feta Orzo
Thanks to the maze we all experience when looking for one special ingredient, this Greek Lentil Orzo from Branny Boils Over hits all the high notes including orzo pasta, red lentils and the spunk of red wine vinegar. Not a fan of feta? ‘Branny’ suggests mozzarella cheese as a sub. Now if we could only find out her real name…
Watermelon, everyone’s favorite summer staple, gets a makeover with a twist when Katie pulls together this meatless dinner in under 30 minutes. Take a seat folks, Greek Couscous Salad with Watermelon and Feta from Katie at the Kitchen Door is served.
Picking up on the orzo theme, Cassie finds a way to make it her own with one of my favorite ingredients on everything from sandwiches to pasta: banana peppers. Combined with a touch of pesto, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, Bake Your Day‘s Greek Orzo Pasta Salad is anything but ordinary.
Thanks for reading and supporting my partners which allows me to create new and special content like this for my you. Please keep in touch by subscribing to FoodieCrush and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. As always, all opinions are my own.
Sophie says
Pasta salads are my favorite! Back when we were in the States, we had a pool in our back yard. Whenever we had pool parties, my mom would always make a pasta salad just like this! Yummer :)
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
Love that you added capers!! I could eat this every day.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This salad looks out of this world delicious! So fun!
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective says
Love pasta salads and greek salads! This looks like a perfect combination of the two!
Tieghan says
Gorgeous Heidi! I love caprese so much and with pasta? It is a dead on winner in my book!
Belinda @themoonblushbaker says
Oh yes a pasta Greek salad that does not contain ice burg. I love the authentic nature of this pasta salad and could make this right now.
sheila says
I love everything about his salad. I would have to make it for myself, my silly family does not like olives, and what is a greek salad with out them? would def be adding the artichokes!! Hope you are enjoying your summer Heidi!
heidi says
Oh no! No olives? Travesty in the family. Time for a mutiny.
kelley says
What better time of year than now to be jiving on all things caprese. Get it while it lasts, girlfriend, because cooler weather is just around the corner! Love the ww pasta in this!
heidi says
And then it will be roasted tomatoes with pasta after we shred the slopes. I accept that :)
Nikki says
I’m hungry now! Thank you! :)
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
I’m so much into Greek salad! And pasta… you know… this is dream food to me! Beautifully shot too.
heidi says
I’m having a hard time eating anything else, the craving for fresh flavors is here.
Liz says
Nice salad. Thank you.
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
This is pure deliciousness going on in this salad! I love Greek flavors…especially kalamata olives :)
cassie says
I love every single little thing about this, Heidi. The capers might be my favorite. And your idea to add tuna – LOVE that.
PS – thank you for including my orzo salad!
Samantha @FerraroKitchen says
This is something I make ALL the time! We always have these ingredients on hand and I even posted a Greek quinoa salad last year. Love this!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain says
I want to dive head first into this pasta! Gorgeous, Heidi!
Lilia - spoon stories- says
greek pasta salad…one of my favorites ^^
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I just finished lunch but I want to inhale every bit of this salad!
natalie @ wee eats says
/sigh… why oh why must I read this right before bed? I’ve hit a bit of a wall with lunches this week and I think you’ve just come to our rescue! Thanks lover ♥ and I’ve been pouring over the new mag, I LOVE IT!
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking says
Love it! I like the addition of capers, I never would have thought of that! Capers totally go with the salty wonderfulness of this salad!!!
Bev @ Bev Cooks says
Why is my entire head not in that?
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
I am drooling over this salad! So pretty and perfect for summer!
rachel says
Oh Heidi – this looks and sounds simply amazing! I’m a big fan of whole wheat pasta and the flavors in this…. mmmmmmmmmm
Nessa says
This looks so comforting!
becky says
I DO love a good Greek salad! Yours looks absolutely perfect! I’m looking forward to more tried and true classic recipes from you this summer!
Louisa [Living Lou] says
My entire family is in Greece right now, maybe if I make this pasta salad it will bring me one step closer to the Mediterranean? (at least in the flavour profile – ha!) Thanks for this recipe! Looks beautiful as always.
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
This is one wicked good lookin’ bowl of pasta salad. Pinned!