Cucumber Pasta Salad (Printable)
Crisp cucumbers, tender pasta, cherry tomatoes and a creamy dill-yogurt dressing—chilled and picnic-ready.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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 red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
→ 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 pepper, to taste
→ Optional Add-Ins
12 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
13 - 2 tablespoons capers
# Directions:
01 - Boil the pasta in a generous amount of salted water according to package directions. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water to cool, and set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together plain Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until homogeneous.
03 - Add sliced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, red onion, and chopped dill to the dressing. Toss gently to combine and evenly distribute the vegetables.
04 - Incorporate the cooled pasta into the vegetable mixture. Toss carefully to ensure all components are coated evenly in the dressing.
05 - Fold in crumbled feta cheese and capers, if desired, ensuring minimal breakage of the cheese.
06 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Toss gently again before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It comes together so quickly you will barely miss any of the party chatter in the other room.
- The salty, creamy, and crisp combination makes everyone reach for seconds, even those who claim they “don’t usually like pasta salads.”
02 -
- Once, I skipped the chilling step and my salad tasted flat and watery—the flavors deepen and the textures mingle best with a short rest.
- Switching dried dill for fresh truly changes the salad; the fresh stuff is leagues better here.
03 -
- If you want a creamier dressing, let the salad sit for at least an hour—the pasta soaks up the richness perfectly.
- Reserve a handful of tomatoes, dill, and feta to scatter on top just before serving for an inviting, colorful look.