Description

This Crunchy Cucumber Pasta Salad is a refreshing and tangy dish perfect for warm weather or as a light side. It combines crisp sliced cucumber, al dente rotini pasta, and thinly sliced red onion tossed in a creamy, herby dressing featuring sour cream, mayonnaise, fresh dill, lemon zest, and a blend of spices for a delightful balance of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

1 large cucumber (halved lengthwise, deseeded, and sliced)
1/2 medium red onion (thinly sliced and soaked)

Pasta

0.5 lb rotini pasta (cooked al dente)

Dressing

1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp sugar
3/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp fresh dill (finely minced)
2 1/2 tbsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp lemon zest

Instructions

Prepare the pasta: Cook 0.5 lb of rotini pasta in boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta.
Prepare the vegetables: Halve the large cucumber lengthwise, deseed it, then slice it thinly. Thinly slice 1/2 medium red onion and soak it in cold water to mellow the flavor, then drain well.
Make the dressing: In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tsp sugar, 3/4 tsp salt, 3 tbsp finely minced fresh dill, 2 1/2 tbsp white vinegar, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp lemon zest. Whisk until smooth and well blended.
Toss the salad: Add the cooled pasta, sliced cucumber, and drained red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss everything together to ensure the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy herb dressing.
Chill and serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill. Serve cold for a refreshing dish ideal for picnics, lunches, or as a side.

Notes

Soaking the sliced red onion in cold water helps reduce sharpness and bitterness.
For an extra crunch, add chopped celery or bell peppers.
This salad can be made a few hours ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
Adjust salt and sugar levels according to your taste preferences.
Use fresh dill for best flavor; dried dill can be substituted but use about 1 teaspoon.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cucumber pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, summer salad, rotini salad, cucumber recipes, easy pasta salad