This group brings together quick appetizers, bold salads, chilled pastas, and a few cocktail-ready extras, all with one common thread—olives in all forms. Whether you’re building a mezze board, prepping lunch, or shaking up something savory to sip, these recipes deliver solid options without overcomplicating things.
There’s a good mix of no-cook dips, oven-free salads, and quick stovetop meals. You’ll find plenty of ways to work olives into your meals without needing specialty ingredients or complicated techniques. A few recipes also double as great party food.
Scan the list, pick what fits your time and setup, and let the olives do their job. From fast prep to bold flavors, there’s plenty here to keep things interesting.
Pizza Pasta Salad
A cold pasta salad that combines the flavors of pizza—pepperoni, mozzarella, olives, mushrooms, and veggies—all tossed in Italian dressing. Great for picnics, potlucks, or a make-ahead lunch.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad
7 layer dip recipe
A layered Tex-Mex dip built with refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, cheese, and chopped toppings. No baking required, and it’s an easy win for game day or parties.
Get the Recipe: 7 layer dip recipe
Fluffy Mediterranean Egg Bites in Muffin Tins
These baked egg bites are made with spinach, feta, and olives for a Mediterranean twist. Cooked in muffin tins and ready in under 30 minutes, they’re easy to meal prep and reheat.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Mediterranean Egg Bites in Muffin Tins
Greek Pasta Salad
Pasta salad tossed with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, red onion, and a tangy vinaigrette. It’s light, colorful, and holds up well for cookouts or lunch leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Greek Pasta Salad
Warm Marinated Olives
The Warm Marinated Olives recipe is a Mediterranean-inspired dish that blends a variety of olives with herbs, spices, and a rich olive oil and vinegar marinade. The warmth of the dish enhances the flavors, creating a perfect blend of tastes. This appetizer is simple yet elegant, appealing to olive enthusiasts with its mix of Kalamatas and milder green varieties. It’s a versatile dish, suitable for various gatherings and can be adapted to different tastes or dietary preferences.
Get the Recipe: Warm Marinated Olives
Panera Greek Salad
This homemade version of the classic uses romaine, red onion, tomatoes, olives, feta, and pepperoncini with a zesty Dijon vinaigrette. Easy to prep and just as good as the original.
Get the Recipe: Panera Greek Salad
Spaghetti alla Puttanesca Recipe
A fast stovetop pasta with tomatoes, olives, anchovies, garlic, and capers. Bold in flavor and ready in under 30 minutes, this dish brings salty, savory heat to the table with no fuss.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti alla Puttanesca Recipe
Feta Beet Salad
Cooked beets, crumbled feta, and pistachios tossed with herbs and a lemony olive oil dressing. It’s a solid side dish or light meal with a mix of soft, crunchy, and tangy elements.
Get the Recipe: Feta Beet Salad
Dirty Martini Dip: Creamy Olive & Blue Cheese Appetizer
A cold dip made with chopped olives and blue cheese in a creamy base. Rich, tangy, and best served with crackers or pita chips—ideal for cocktail hours or snack boards.
Get the Recipe: Dirty Martini Dip: Creamy Olive & Blue Cheese Appetizer
Black Olive Tapenade
A no-cook spread made with black olives, garlic, and olive oil. Serve it on toast, crackers, or part of a mezze platter. Takes minutes to blend and keeps well in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Black Olive Tapenade
Greek Orzo Pasta
A chilled orzo salad with tomatoes, feta, cucumbers, and olives in a lemony vinaigrette. It’s quick to make and perfect as a side or light lunch.
Get the Recipe: Greek Orzo Pasta
Greek Smoked Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is blended with herbs and olives, then smoked for extra depth. Serve with pita, veggies, or crackers for an easy appetizer with bold flavor.
Get the Recipe: Greek Smoked Cream Cheese
Smoked Olives
Whole olives are gently smoked for a new twist on a classic snack. Serve them as part of an antipasto spread or add to cocktails for something unexpected.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Olives
Greek Salad with Homemade Dressing- Panera Copycat
A crisp salad made with romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, red onion, and feta, tossed in a zesty homemade Greek dressing. Great as a side or light main dish.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad with Homemade Dressing- Panera Copycat
Creamy Green Olive Dip
Chopped green olives and sun-dried tomatoes are folded into a creamy dip base. It’s salty, rich, and pairs well with fresh vegetables, pita, or chips.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Green Olive Dip
Muffuletta Roll Ups
These roll-ups combine sliced meat, cheese, and olive salad for a quick version of the New Orleans classic. Easy to prep ahead and cut into bite-size party snacks.
Get the Recipe: Muffuletta Roll Ups
Greek Salad
A simple mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, olives, and feta with olive oil and vinegar. No lettuce here—just a straightforward version of the traditional Greek dish.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad
Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives
Green olives are filled with soft blue cheese for a sharp, salty bite. Serve them as cocktail garnishes or on a snack board with cured meats and nuts.
Get the Recipe: Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives
Mexican Martini
A bold cocktail that blends tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, served with olives for a savory finish. It’s a hybrid between a margarita and a dirty martini.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Martini
Marinated Olives with Feta
Mixed olives and feta cheese are tossed in herbs and olive oil, then chilled to let the flavors meld. A quick appetizer that works well on grazing boards or alongside grilled meats.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Olives with Feta
Dirty Martini Shrimp
Shrimp sautéed with lemon and olive brine for a salty, citrusy flavor. Serve as an appetizer or with rice for a fast weeknight dinner that packs a punch.
Get the Recipe: Dirty Martini Shrimp