Cucumber Pasta Salad Recipe
This refreshing Cucumber Pasta Salad features tender pasta, crisp cucumber, and tangy onions tossed in a creamy dill dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or side dish, it’s easy to prepare and allows flavors to meld beautifully during chilling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces medium pasta (penne or rotini)
Vegetables
- 1 English cucumber
- 1/2 sweet white onion
Dressing
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, sugar, salt, chopped fresh dill, vinegar, and black pepper. Stir well until all ingredients are fully blended. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Onions: Thinly slice the sweet white onion and place the slices into a bowl of cold water. This step reduces the sharpness and pungency of the onion for a milder taste. Drain well before using.
- Cook and Cool the Pasta: Cook the medium pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and immediately rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta. Drain well and set aside.
- Slice the Cucumber: Cut the English cucumber in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds from each half. Then slice the cucumber into thin slices to maintain crispness and freshness in the salad.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, drained onion slices, and cucumber slices. Pour the prepared dressing over the mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 40 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to develop fully.
Notes
- Soaking onions in cold water mellows their sharp flavor, making them more pleasant in salads.
- Removing cucumber seeds prevents excess moisture, keeping the salad from becoming watery.
- Allowing the salad to rest for at least 40 minutes improves flavor integration.
- Use medium pasta shapes like penne or rotini that hold the dressing well.
Keywords: Cucumber pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, summer salad, dill dressing, easy pasta salad, side dish
Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/cucumber-pasta-salad-recipe/
