10 Greek Yogurt Pasta Salad Recipes for a Creamy Healthy Twist
Pasta salads are a summer staple but traditional mayo-based dressings can feel heavy. Enter Greek yogurt pasta salads—creamy tangy and packed with protein. Whether you’re meal-prepping hosting a BBQ or craving a light yet satisfying dish these recipes deliver flavor without the guilt. Below we’ve curated 10 standout recipes with pro tips ingredient swaps and step-by-step instructions.
1. Classic Greek Yogurt Pasta Salad with Curry & Dill
Inspired by a Santorini hotel breakfast this recipe swaps mayo for Greek yogurt and adds a surprising hint of curry.
Ingredients
- 2 cups penne pasta (or rotini/farfalle)
- 1 cup minced bell peppers (mixed colors)
- 1 cup minced red onion
- 1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (fresh)
- 1 tsp curry powder (or turmeric)
- 2 tbsp fresh dill (or parsley)
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 tbsp honey
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente drain and chill for 10 minutes.
- Whisk dressing: Combine yogurt lemon juice curry dill garlic honey salt and pepper.
- Toss pasta with peppers onions and dressing. Chill 30+ minutes before serving.
Pro Tip: For extra crunch add diced cucumbers or Kalamata olives.
2. Creamy Greek Pasta Salad with Feta & Olives
A Mediterranean twist with tomatoes cucumbers and a zesty yogurt dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 lb rotini or fusilli
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 seedless cucumber (diced)
- ¾ cup Kalamata olives
- ¾ cup crumbled feta
- 1.25 cups Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Cook pasta rinse under cold water and drain.
- Mix dressing: Yogurt lemon juice vinegar oregano olive oil salt and pepper.
- Combine pasta veggies olives and feta. Toss with dressing.
Pro Tip: Use whole wheat pasta for a fiber boost.
3. Pickle Lover’s Pasta Salad
For those who crave tangy crunchy bites this recipe features dill pickles and a pickle-juice-infused dressing.
Ingredients
- 12 oz bowtie pasta
- 1 cup chopped dill pickles
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup shredded cheddar
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp pickle juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Cook pasta rinse and cool.
- Whisk dressing: Yogurt sour cream pickle juice and spices.
- Toss with pasta pickles onion and cheese. Chill 30 minutes.
Pro Tip: Add crispy bacon for a smoky twist.
4. Chicken & Bacon Pasta Salad with Buttermilk Dressing
A hearty protein-packed meal with grilled chicken and a creamy yogurt-buttermilk dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 lb rotini
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
- 6 strips crispy bacon
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayo
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tsp fresh dill
Instructions
- Cook pasta; toss warm with chicken bacon and veggies.
- Dressing: Blend yogurt mayo buttermilk dill and seasonings.
- Combine reserving ⅓ cup dressing to refresh before serving.
Pro Tip: Let the salad sit for 1 hour to meld flavors.
5. Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Artichokes & Arugula
A vibrant veggie-loaded dish with a lemony yogurt vinaigrette.
Ingredients
- 8 oz farfalle
- 1 cup marinated artichokes
- 1 cup roasted red peppers
- 2 cups arugula
- 4 oz feta
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Cook pasta; rinse and cool.
- Dressing: Whisk yogurt lemon juice mustard and olive oil.
- Toss with pasta artichokes peppers arugula and feta.
Pro Tip: Add chickpeas for extra protein.
6. Spicy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
For those who love a kick this recipe blends creamy Greek yogurt with hot sauce for a lighter take on Buffalo chicken.
Ingredients
- 12 oz elbow macaroni (or shells)
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- 2 tbsp ranch seasoning (or homemade blend)
- 1 cup diced celery
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Cook pasta rinse and cool.
- Whisk dressing: Greek yogurt hot sauce ranch seasoning and vinegar.
- Toss pasta with chicken celery and dressing. Top with blue cheese if desired.
Pro Tip: Let it sit for 1 hour—the heat mellows slightly while flavors meld.
7. Lemon-Dill Salmon Pasta Salad
*A refreshing omega-3-rich dish with flaked salmon and a bright yogurt-lemon dressing.*
Ingredients
- 8 oz farfalle or penne
- 1.5 cups flaked cooked salmon (or canned)
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- ½ cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- ⅓ cup capers
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
- Zest & juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Cook pasta rinse and drain.
- Mix dressing: Yogurt lemon zest/juice dill mustard salt and pepper.
- Gently fold in salmon cucumber onion and capers.
Pro Tip: Use smoked salmon for a bolder flavor.
8. Southwest Black Bean & Corn Pasta Salad
A Tex-Mex-inspired dish with creamy Greek yogurt lime dressing—perfect for potlucks.
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini
- 1 cup black beans (rinsed)
- 1 cup corn (grilled or canned)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Cook pasta cool and drain.
- Whisk dressing: Yogurt lime juice cumin chili powder and cilantro.
- Toss with pasta beans corn tomatoes and bell pepper.
Pro Tip: Add avocado just before serving for creaminess.
9. Pesto & Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad
A nut-free pesto alternative using Greek yogurt for creaminess.
Ingredients
- 10 oz fusilli
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
- ¼ cup pine nuts (toasted)
- 1 cup baby spinach
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Instructions
- Cook pasta rinse and cool.
- Blend dressing: Yogurt pesto lemon juice and garlic.
- Toss with pasta sun-dried tomatoes spinach and pine nuts.
Pro Tip: Swap pine nuts for walnuts for a budget-friendly twist.
10. Thai Peanut Noodle Salad with Greek Yogurt
An Asian-inspired fusion with a lighter peanut-yogurt sauce.
Ingredients
- 8 oz rice noodles (or whole wheat spaghetti)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup sliced bell peppers
- ½ cup chopped green onions
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp sriracha
Instructions
- Cook noodles rinse with cold water and drain.
- Whisk dressing: Yogurt peanut butter soy sauce honey and sriracha.
- Toss noodles with veggies dressing and top with peanuts.
Pro Tip: Add shredded chicken or tofu for extra protein.
Final Tips for Perfect Greek Yogurt Pasta Salads
- Drain veggies well to prevent a watery salad .
- Rinse pasta to stop cooking and avoid clumping .
- Use full-fat yogurt for creaminess (low-fat can be chalky) .
- Chill before serving—flavors deepen over time .
