Description
A refreshing and crunchy cucumber pasta salad combining tender rotini pasta with crisp cucumbers and a creamy, tangy dressing made from sour cream, mayonnaise, and fresh dill. Perfect for summer picnics or light lunches.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 1 large cucumber, halved lengthwise, deseeded, and sliced
- 0.5 lb rotini pasta, cooked al dente
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced and soaked
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 the rotini pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta for the salad.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While pasta cooks, halve the cucumber lengthwise, remove the seeds carefully with a spoon, then slice thinly. Thinly slice the red onion and soak it briefly in cold water to reduce sharpness, then drain well.
- Make the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, sugar, salt, minced fresh dill, white vinegar, black pepper, garlic powder, and lemon zest. Whisk thoroughly until the dressing is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the cooled pasta, sliced cucumber, and soaked red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently yet thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill. Serve cold as a side dish or light meal.
Notes
- For best texture, remove cucumber seeds before slicing to avoid excess moisture.
- Soaking sliced red onions helps mellow their sharp flavor.
- This salad is ideal for preparing ahead and tastes better after chilling.
- Optional: garnish with extra fresh dill or lemon zest before serving for additional freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cucumber pasta salad, creamy cucumber salad, rotini pasta salad, summer salad, dill pasta salad