Cucumber Pasta Salad (Print)
Crisp cucumbers and tender pasta tossed with dill, tomatoes and a zesty creamy dressing for a bright summer side.
# Ingredient List:
→ Pasta
01 - 9 ounces short pasta, such as rotini, fusilli, or penne
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/4 medium red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
→ Dressing
06 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
07 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
10 - 1 garlic clove, minced
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Optional Add-Ins
12 - 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
13 - 2 tablespoons capers
# How-To Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to cool. Set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until fully combined and smooth.
03 - Add the sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and chopped dill to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to coat the vegetables evenly.
04 - Add the cooled pasta to the dressed vegetables. Toss carefully to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated and coated with the dressing.
05 - If desired, fold in the crumbled feta cheese and capers for added flavor and texture.
06 - Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to develop. Toss again before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Your taste buds get a wake-up call from creamy tangy dressing and snappy veggies.
- It’s perfect when you want something light but still filling and it holds up in a picnic basket without getting soggy.
02 -
- I once forgot to rinse my pasta with cold water and ended up with a sticky salad blob—don’t skip this step!
- Letting the salad sit in the fridge transforms the flavors—just ten minutes isn’t enough if you want that all-together harmony.
03 -
- Cut the cucumber as thin as possible so it melds into every bite instead of clumping up.
- Add half the dressing at first and more after chilling if the pasta soaks it all up—this changes everything!