Spaghetti is far from Greek, but think of this as kind of a fusion dish. A really delicious fusion dish. Fresh chopped tomatoes, feta and olives all mixed together with spaghetti and an easy olive oil and lemon juice dressing make up this Greek Spaghetti. A light and fresh pasta dish that is perfect for pretending you are somewhere warm and sunny.
We love a quick and easy pasta dish, and this Greek Spaghetti is just that. A few fresh ingredients that are staples in our fridge, stirred in to spaghetti. It is easy to adapt with other vegetables and you can add some protein to make it a really filling meal. This healthy comfort food is ready in under 15 minutes
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Why should you try it?
- A light and fresh pasta dish
- Delicious fusion food
- A great way to use up tomatoes
- Easy to adapt
- Ready in just 15 minutes
What you will need
- Spaghetti - spaghetti is a great choice for this pasta dish because the sauce clings really well to it. However, if you don't have any or would rather use something different, then go ahead. Penne, fusilli and conchiglie all work well.
- Olives - it wouldn't be a Greek dish without olives. We used a mixture of black and green olives, however any olives would work. Add some extra flavour to this dish by using chilli stuffed olives.
- Tomatoes - these add so much freshness and texture to the dish. We used basic salad tomatoes that we picked fresh from the garden, however you could swap them for cherry tomatoes. Add a more intense tomato flavour by roasting the cherry tomatoes first.
- Feta - again, it wouldn't be a Greek dish without some feta. Crumble it on top for a really creamy flavour.
- Garlic - this adds plenty of flavour to the sauce. It is raw though, so leave it out if that would be too much of an intense flavour for you.
- Oil - as this makes up the majority of the sauce of the dish, try to use a really good quality olive oil. You really will taste the difference.
- Lemon juice - this really balances out the heaviness of the oil in the sauce. If you want a more intense lemon flavour, then you could add the zest of one lemon too.
- Basil - an easy way to add some freshness, and it goes really well with the tomatoes too. You could swap it for fresh chopped parsley if you prefer.
Step by step
One: Cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions.
Two: Heat the oil until hot and fry the garlic for one minute. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Three: Drain the spaghetti and transfer it to a large bowl. Pour over the garlic oil and mix well.
Four: Add the tomatoes, olives, basil, lemon juice and salt and pepper. Mix well.
Five: Top with the crumbled feta and serve.
What is Greek spaghetti?
This dish isn't to be confused with the Greek pasta dish called Pastitsio. That is a creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish that is sometimes called Greek lasagna. Our dish is nothing like that. Instead, it is spaghetti that is loaded with all our favourite Greek ingredients. Fresh tomatoes, olives, feta, lemon juice and olive oil and plenty of fresh herbs.
Spaghetti sauce
There isn't so much of a traditional spaghetti sauce to this dish. Instead, we have simple stirring in some olive oil and lemon juice, heavy on the garlic and seasoning. Use a really good quality olive oil, as you really will taste the difference.
If you want more of a lemon flavour, then you can use the zest as well as the juice.
FAQs
This is a delicious vegetarian dish, and really doesn't need any meat. However, if you wanted to add some meat then there is a few options. Keep it lean with some grilled chicken breast or salmon. You could even fry up some king prawns to add to it. Why not do something a little different with chicken and made some baked chicken meatballs that are packed with Greek flavours. They will go perfectly with this.
If you have any leftovers from this, then you can store it in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat leftovers, heat them through in a pan. We wouldn't recommend freezing this dish.
Extra tips
- Why not give this dish a really intense tomato flavour by roasting cherry tomatoes and swapping them for the fresh chopped tomatoes.
- You can add some extra salty flavour by adding some chopped capers.
- Make sure that everything is chopped and ready to add, so it can all be mixed in whilst the pasta is hot. This dish is best enjoyed hot.
More Greek recipes
If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog then let us know how you got on in the comments below, we love hearing from you! Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - we love sharing photos when people make our recipes. You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Greek Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 200 g spaghetti
- 100 g mixed olives halved
- 2 tomatoes
- 4 garlic cloves crushed
- 4 tablespoon olive oil
- 100 g feta cheese
- 1 lemon (juice and zest only)
- 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
- 15 g fresh basil sliced into strips
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions.
- Heat the oil until hot and fry the garlic for one minute. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Drain the spaghetti and transfer it to a large bowl. Pour over the garlic oil and mix well.
- Add the tomatoes, olives, basil, lemon juice and salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Top with the crumbled feta and serve.
Notes
- Why not give this dish a really intense tomato flavour by roasting cherry tomatoes and swapping them for the fresh chopped tomatoes.
- You can add some extra salty flavour by adding some chopped capers.
- Make sure that everything is chopped and ready to add, so it can all be mixed in whilst the pasta is hot. This dish is best enjoyed hot.
Petra
I love the idea of using half pasta, half zucchini. When you cook them, do you cook them for the same amount of time or do you add courgette later?
Dannii
I add the courgette a couple of minutes before the pasta is cooked.
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
This is my kind of dish! I love sneaking in extra veggies into meals too. Just tonight I baked some rigatoni with marinara and bread crumbs, and threw some diced zucchini into the mix.
Dannii
Oooh, that sounds good!
Savita @ ChefDeHome
I'm lot into playing with greek flavors these days! This greek spaghetti sure sounds delicious!
Dannii
I am loving Greek fusion.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
Ooooh this looks right up my street! Loving all the ingredients in this, all my favourite flavours too! Definitely trying this :)
Dannii
I hope you enjoy it Becca :)
Ceri
Love a good bit of fusion food. I often wonder what the natives would think, but then decide what the heck and do it anyway! I guess this is what makes cooking so exciting - so many options. Spaghetti looks fab, especially with all that Feta! Thanks for including my moussaka above!
Dannii
As long as it tastes good, that's all that matters ;)
Alison
This looks gorgeous, I love throwing things together with spaghetti and this greek combo looks perfect
Dannii
The best kinds of meals usually come from just throwing everything together.
Ami@NaiveCookCooks
This is making me so hungry Dannii!! Looks so yum!
Dannii
You should never look at food blogs when you are hungry ;)
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog
Pasta anything is amazing, and this greek pasta flavor combination is spot on and sounds so good!
Dannii
Feta and olives should go in everything.
lucie
One of my favourite things about summer is well, salads.....but also OLIVES...in everything!
Dannii
I am obsessed with olives at the moment.
Helen @ Scrummy Lane
Well no, spaghetti isn't Greek, but I can tell you the Greeks certainly like eating spaghetti ... so I don't think you need to apologise for calling this a Greek dish! Might give this a go some time this week, Dannii. I love that you roasted the tomatoes!
Dannii
I think roasting the tomatoes brings out the flavour a lot more.
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Love this fantastic fusion - Greek meets italian- dish! Sounds comforting and hearty but light at the same time - and of course delish!! ♡ I'm totally going to load it up with some spinach as you suggested ♡ cheers, girlie!!
Dannii
The spinach is a good way to get some extra veggies.
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness
This actually made my stomach rumble!! And I JUST had dinner! Kind of wish I had this instead!!
Dannii
Maybe have a second dinner ;)
lacey@fairytalesandfitness.com
This sounds so tasty. I have been wanting to get one of those spiralizers. The pasta would be great after my long runs though.
Dannii
No need for a spiraliser, just get a julienne peeler.
cheri
Love that you used wholewheat pasta, this looks really good Dannii.
Dannii
I really like the nutty flavour of it.
nadiashealthykitchen
Looks really yummy! Love the Greek twist :)
Dannii
Thanks Nadia :)
Brittany
I don't eat a lot of pasta these days, but that doesn't mean I don't LOVE the stuff. I do think I will try this with zucchini! YUMMM.
Dannii
We try not to make it an every day type of thing, but once in a while it is goooood.
Mary
Pasta isn't traditional Greek but adding feta, tomatoes, and olives makes anything Greek in my book. Great recipe
Dannii
Plus it makes it delicious too.
Annie @ The Garlic Diaries
Oh my gosh..Greek spaghetti. Drooling! This sounds so so so yummy. Can't wait to make!
Random non-food-related-question: do you know off the top of your head what plugin you used for the "Like me on Facebook" popup? I was trying to find a good one and having a little trouble!
Dannii
I am now using Lightbox. But you can get it through Hello Bar too.
Victoria
Looks lovely, I had something similar tonight - slutty courgetti, which is a quick puttanesca sauce (I used red onion, garlic, olive oil, dash of Worcestershire sauce, chopped dill pickle or a spoonful of dill relish - or capers if you have them - chili flakes, black pepper & a tin of chopped toms. I don't cook the courgette noodles, just toss through the sauce and top with a sprinkle of Parmesan. Small glass of red wine & it's a good start to a Friday night!
Dannii
Yum! That sounds really good :D
Kennedy Cole| KCole's Creative Corner
I really like the combo of salty olives and sweet tomatoes! I am drooling over this insanely delicious creation! That lemon dressing looks absolutely delicious! Great share!
Dannii
It's one of my favourite combos.