Name: Creamy Strawberry Feta Pasta Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: Poppy Seed Dressing; 2/3 cup (160 g) plain Greek yogurt; 1/4 cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar; 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra‑virgin olive oil; 1/4 cup (85 g) honey; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground dry mustard (or 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard); 1 tablespoon poppy seeds; Pasta Salad; 1 pound dry pasta (elbow, bow‑tie, rotini, etc.); 5 cups chopped romaine lettuce; 1 to 1.5 pounds fresh strawberries, sliced; 2 avocados, diced; 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese; 3/4 cup slivered or sliced almonds

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I recently made the Creamy Strawberry Feta Pasta Salad. It combines tender short pasta, crisp romaine, juicy strawberries, creamy avocado, crunchy almonds, and tangy feta—tossed in a homemade poppy seed–Greek yogurt dressing.

Creamy Strawberry Feta Pasta Salad

Why I’ll Love This Recipe

I love how each bite balances sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy. The strawberries and avocado feel fresh and vibrant, the feta adds a savory pop, and the almonds lend satisfying texture. The poppy seed dressing wraps it all together with a sweet-tart creaminess. It’s bright, colorful, and perfect for summer gatherings or feeding a crowd.

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Poppy Seed Dressing:

Greek yogurt
Apple cider vinegar
Extra virgin olive oil
Honey
Salt
Dry mustard or Dijon
Poppy seeds

Pasta Salad:

Dry pasta (e.g. elbow, bow tie, rotini)
Romaine lettuce, chopped
Strawberries, sliced (1 to 1.5 lb)
Avocados, diced
Crumbled feta cheese
Slivered or sliced almonds

directions

I cook the pasta per package directions, drain it, and let it cool for about 5 minutes.
While the pasta cools, I whisk together the Greek yogurt, vinegar, oil, honey, salt, mustard, and poppy seeds to make the dressing.
I toss the cooled pasta with chopped romaine, sliced strawberries, diced avocado, crumbled feta, and almonds.
I pour the dressing over everything and toss gently until well coated; I sometimes add extra feta or almonds for more flavor.
I cover and chill it—time helps flavors meld, and it’s said to taste even better on day two or three.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves about 10 people. Prep takes 15 minutes, cooking time roughly 10 minutes, so total time is around 25 minutes from start to finish.

Variations

I sometimes swap goat cheese for feta for a creamy tang.
I replace almonds with chopped walnuts or pecans for texture change.
When strawberries are short, I’ve added mandarin oranges or blueberries to keep it vibrant—especially around holidays. (“Tastes better on day two or three”)
For a lighter version, I use half the dressing or substitute avocado with cucumbers.

storage/reheating

I store this salad in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It keeps up to one week, developing more flavor over time—especially days 2–3. I don’t freeze it, since lettuce and avocado lose their texture when thawed.

FAQs

Is the poppy seed dressing very sweet?

I find it nicely balanced—just sweet enough from honey and tangy from Greek yogurt and vinegar. Adjust to taste if you prefer less sweetness.

Can I skip the avocado?

Yes—I sometimes omit avocado when it’s not ripe or available. Without it, the salad is still bright and flavorful.

Will the lettuce stay crisp in the dressing?

Yes—if I toss just before serving. If storing longer, I sometimes hold off on lettuce until the day I serve to avoid sogginess.

Can I use a different green besides romaine?

Absolutely—I’ve swapped in baby spinach or arugula before. Just keep in mind that more delicate greens may wilt faster in the dressing.

Can I make this vegetarian or vegan?

It’s already vegetarian. For vegan, I swap Greek yogurt for vegan yogurt, use maple syrup instead of honey, and use vegan feta or skip it entirely.

Conclusion

I find Creamy Strawberry Feta Pasta Salad to be one of my favorite seasonal go-to dishes for summer. With its sweet strawberries, tangy feta, creamy dressing, and crisp textures, it’s elegant, crowd‑pleasing, and easy to make ahead. Every time I bring this to a gathering, it disappears fast—and I love that it even gets better with a little resting time.