Healthy Cucumber Pasta Salad Recipe
A refreshing and healthy cucumber pasta salad featuring crunchy cucumbers, al dente pasta, and a creamy dill dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a side dish for warm-weather gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 English cucumber
- 1/2 sweet white onion
Pasta
- 8 ounces medium pasta (penne or rotini)
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, fresh dill, vinegar, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Onions: Thinly slice the sweet white onion and place the slices in a bowl of cold water. This step helps reduce the sharpness and pungency of the onion for a milder flavor in the salad.
- Cook and Cool the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and immediately rinse it under cold running water to stop cooking and cool it down. Drain well and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Slice the Cucumber: Cut the English cucumber in half lengthwise, use a spoon to scoop out seeds from each half, then slice the cucumber thinly. This adds a fresh, crisp texture to the salad.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the drained onion slices and cucumber to the cooled pasta. Pour the prepared dressing over the ingredients and toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 40 minutes to allow the flavors to combine and develop before serving.
Notes
- Soaking the onion slices in cold water mellows their sharpness and produces a milder taste.
- Removing the cucumber seeds prevents extra moisture that could make the salad watery.
- Allowing the salad to rest builds flavor and improves texture.
- This salad can be made a few hours ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
Keywords: cucumber pasta salad, healthy pasta salad, summer salad, creamy dill dressing, easy pasta salad, vegetable pasta salad
Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/healthy-cucumber-pasta-salad-recipe/