This Greek Turkey Meatball Pasta Salad with Feta Sauce is a fantastic option for a flavorful and healthy meal that comes together quickly.
It’s packed with vibrant Mediterranean-inspired ingredients, offering a satisfying and light dish perfect for any day of the week. Each serving provides about 30 grams of protein.
Whether you’re looking for a new family dinner idea or a great recipe for your weekly meal prep, this pasta salad delivers on both taste and convenience. The combination of savory baked turkey meatballs, tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and a creamy, tangy feta sauce creates a truly delightful experience.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Greek Turkey Meatball Pasta Salad with Feta Sauce
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
This Greek Turkey Meatball Pasta Salad with Feta Sauce is a flavorful and healthy meal packed with vibrant Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. It’s a satisfying and light dish perfect for any day of the week, offering a complete meal in one bowl. The combination of savory baked turkey meatballs, tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and a creamy, tangy feta sauce creates a truly delightful experience, great for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400 F (200 C). In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped fresh parsley, dried oregano, garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined – avoid overmixing, which can make the meatballs tough. Roll the mixture into approximately 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
2. Bake the turkey meatballs for 18-22 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165 F (74 C). While the meatballs are baking, you can start on the pasta and sauce.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down, which is essential for a pasta salad. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
4. In a food processor or blender, combine the 4 ounces of feta cheese block, Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and minced garlic. Process until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a tiny splash of water or milk to reach your desired consistency.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled, drained pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, and halved Kalamata olives. Add the 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese to this mixture.
6. Once the meatballs are cooked and slightly cooled, add them to the large mixing bowl with the pasta and vegetables. Pour the creamy feta sauce over the entire salad. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are well coated with the sauce. Serve immediately, or chill for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Cuisine: mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Protein: 30
Keywords: turkey meatballs, pasta salad, feta sauce, mediterranean, healthy, meal prep, easy, quick, dinner, lunch
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true winner for anyone seeking a delicious, healthy, and straightforward meal. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something homemade but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Families will appreciate the approachable flavors and the fact that it’s a complete meal in one bowl. The baked turkey meatballs are a lighter alternative to traditional beef, and the fresh vegetables add a wonderful crunch and nutritional boost. It’s also an excellent choice for meal prepping, as the flavors meld beautifully overnight, making your lunch the next day even more exciting. Serve it as a refreshing main course, a hearty side dish for a barbecue, or a vibrant addition to a potluck spread.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients ahead of time makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable. Most of these items are pantry staples or easily found at any grocery store. For the best flavor, opt for fresh herbs when possible, but dried will work in a pinch.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean or leaner)
- 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces pasta (such as orzo, rotini, or penne)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 English cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (for salad)
- 4 ounces feta cheese block (for sauce)
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap the ground turkey for ground chicken if preferred. If you don’t have fresh parsley, a teaspoon of dried parsley flakes can be used in the meatballs. Any small-shaped pasta will work well here, so feel free to use what you have on hand. For the feta sauce, full-fat Greek yogurt will yield a creamier result, but low-fat works too. If you’re not a fan of Kalamata olives, black olives can be used, or you can omit them entirely.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for efficiency, getting a delicious meal on your table without a lot of fuss.
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Follow these clear steps to create your delicious Greek Turkey Meatball Pasta Salad. The process is straightforward, ensuring great results even for beginner cooks.
- Prepare the Turkey Meatballs: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped fresh parsley, dried oregano, garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined – avoid overmixing, which can make the meatballs tough. Roll the mixture into approximately 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the Meatballs: Bake the turkey meatballs for 18-22 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). While the meatballs are baking, you can start on the pasta and sauce.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down, which is essential for a pasta salad. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
- Prepare the Feta Sauce: In a food processor or blender, combine the 4 ounces of feta cheese block, Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and minced garlic. Process until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a tiny splash of water or milk to reach your desired consistency.
- Assemble the Salad Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled, drained pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, and halved Kalamata olives. Add the 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese to this mixture.
- Combine and Serve: Once the meatballs are cooked and slightly cooled, add them to the large mixing bowl with the pasta and vegetables. Pour the creamy feta sauce over the entire salad. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are well coated with the sauce. Serve immediately, or chill for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This Greek Turkey Meatball Pasta Salad is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you might want to reduce the amount of red onion or soak it in cold water for a few minutes to mellow its flavor. You could also offer a side of their favorite mild dressing for dipping the meatballs.
Consider adding other fresh vegetables like bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), chopped spinach, or even some artichoke hearts for extra texture and flavor. A sprinkle of fresh dill or mint over the top just before serving can add another layer of aromatic freshness. For a heartier meal, you could serve this alongside some warm pita bread or a simple green salad. It also makes a fantastic main dish for a casual brunch or a light dinner on a warm evening. If you’re serving it at a party or buffet, keep the sauce separate until just before serving to prevent the pasta from soaking up too much.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have small pitfalls. Being aware of these can help ensure your Greek Turkey Meatball Pasta Salad turns out perfectly every time.
- Overmixing the Meatballs: Mixing the ground turkey too much can result in tough, dense meatballs. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Overcooking the Pasta: Mushy pasta is a no-go for pasta salad. Cook it al dente, meaning it still has a slight bite to it. Rinsing with cold water immediately after draining stops the cooking process.
- Not Cooling Ingredients: Adding warm pasta or meatballs to the salad will cause the vegetables to wilt and the sauce to become too thin. Ensure all cooked components are cooled before combining.
- Skipping the Fresh Herbs: While dried herbs are convenient, fresh parsley in the meatballs and a sprinkle of fresh dill or mint on top can elevate the flavor significantly. Don’t underestimate their impact!
- Not Adjusting Sauce Seasoning: Always taste your feta sauce before adding it to the salad. Feta can vary in saltiness, so you might need more or less salt and pepper to achieve the perfect balance.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This Greek Turkey Meatball Pasta Salad is excellent for making ahead and storing, making it a fantastic option for meal prep.
To store leftovers, place the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors tend to meld and deepen overnight, often making it taste even better the next day.
If you plan to make it entirely ahead, you can assemble the full salad with the sauce up to 24 hours in advance. For longer make-ahead times (2-3 days), it’s best to store the feta sauce separately from the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together about an hour before serving to allow the flavors to combine and the pasta to absorb some of the sauce. The meatballs can also be cooked ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, then added when you assemble the salad. This approach helps maintain the freshness of the vegetables and prevents the pasta from becoming too soft.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Here are some common questions that often come up when preparing this delicious Greek Turkey Meatball Pasta Salad.
Can I use a different type of ground meat for the meatballs? Yes, ground chicken or even a lean ground beef can be used as a substitute for ground turkey. Adjust cooking times as needed to ensure they are cooked through.
Is there a dairy-free option for the feta sauce? You could try using
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
