Greek Style Pasta Salad

Memorial Day is one of those holidays when all of our friends are saying, "I have to go to a family party today.  Hopefully, I'll be able to leave early and go out tonight." And we're saying, "Wahoooooo, Family Partay!!!" And when our friends ask us if we want to go out afterwards we tell them we can't because we're going to be way too wasted.

While our family parties may end a little differently, they start out like what you would expect from a normal family party.  So this Memorial Day, I made your quintessential picnic food; Pasta Salad.  Honestly, the only reason it's greek style is because I was craving feta cheese.  It turned out really good though.  This will definitely be a go-to dish for parties this summer.

Here's what you'll need:
(If you're making this for a party, use these measurements.  If you're just making this for your family, I would cut everything in half.  This makes a lot.)

For the Salad:

• 2 lbs. Rotini
• 1-1/2 large red bell pepper, diced
• 1 large cucumber, diced
• 1/2 medium red onion, diced
• 16 oz. feta cheese (we like the kind that comes in a block, then you cut it into chunks)

For the Dressing:

(Keep in mind, you could just use a bottled Greek salad dressing if you want.)

• 1 cup olive oil
• 3/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• the juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder

This recipe is so easy, I almost feel dumb typing out the directions.  It's pretty self-explanatory, but here I go anyway.

Bring a big pan of water to a boil, and cook your 2 pounds of rotini according to the package.  Drain and rinse with cold water so the noodles do not stick together.

While you're waiting for the noodles to cook, chop your pepper, onion, cucumber, and feta.

This is also a good time to put all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and mix well with a whisk. 

Once the noodles are cooked, drained, and cooled, mix everything together in a big bowl.  Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until cold.

See, wasn't that easy?  That's why you should make this for your next party or picnic this summer.  Enjoy!

xo Chrissy