Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Chill Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes | Servings: 6
Introduction
Creamy cucumber tomato pasta salad recipe with rotini, red onion, bell peppers and tangy herb dressing is a fresh, colorful side dish that combines tender pasta with crisp summer vegetables and a cool, creamy dressing. Rotini is perfect here because its spirals hold onto the herby sauce, while juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, sweet bell peppers, and red onion add plenty of texture. The homemade dressing is creamy without feeling overly heavy, with lemon, fresh herbs, and simple seasonings giving it a bright finish. This easy pasta salad is ideal for summer lunches, picnics, barbecues, potlucks, or make-ahead family dinners.
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
- 12 oz (340 g) rotini pasta
- 1 large English cucumber, about 12 oz (340 g), chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups (300 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 small red onion, diced or thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup (15 g) fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons (8 g) fresh dill, finely chopped
For the Tangy Herb Dressing
- 3/4 cup (180 g) mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup (120 g) plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) honey
- 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) freshly ground black pepper
- 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 ml) milk, if needed to thin the dressing
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook the rotini. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the rotini and cook according to the package directions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. The pasta should be tender but still have a slight bite.
- Cool the pasta. Drain the cooked rotini in a colander and rinse briefly under cool running water to stop the cooking. Drain extremely well and let it sit for several minutes so excess water does not dilute the dressing.
- Prepare the cucumber. Cut the cucumber into chunky bite-sized pieces. If it seems especially juicy, pat the pieces gently with paper towels. This helps keep the finished salad creamy instead of watery.
- Prepare the remaining vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the bell pepper and red onion, and finely chop the fresh parsley and dill. Keep the vegetable pieces fairly uniform so every serving gets a good mixture.
- Make the creamy herb dressing. Whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Add a tablespoon or two of milk if you prefer a slightly looser consistency.
- Combine the salad. Place the cooled rotini in a large mixing bowl. Add the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, parsley, and fresh dill.
- Add the dressing. Pour about three-quarters of the creamy herb dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly until the rotini and vegetables are evenly coated. Add additional dressing until the salad reaches your preferred creaminess.
- Chill before serving. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This gives the flavors time to blend and allows the pasta to absorb some of the tangy dressing.
- Refresh and serve. Stir the salad gently before serving. If the pasta has absorbed too much dressing, add the reserved dressing or a small splash of milk. Finish with extra fresh dill, parsley, and cracked black pepper.
Tips for the Best Creamy Pasta Salad
- Cook the rotini only until al dente so it does not become overly soft after chilling.
- Drain the pasta thoroughly before adding the dressing to prevent a watery salad.
- Use English cucumber for its crisp texture, tender skin, and relatively low moisture content.
- Pat juicy vegetables dry before assembling the salad.
- Reserve a little dressing because pasta naturally absorbs moisture while refrigerated.
- Fresh dill and parsley give the creamy dressing a brighter flavor than dried herbs alone.
- For the best presentation, reserve a few tomatoes, cucumber pieces, and herbs for the top.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy cucumber tomato pasta salad is delicious as a refreshing side dish with grilled chicken, roasted chicken, shrimp, salmon, steak, burgers, or baked fish. For summer gatherings, pair it with grilled corn, fresh fruit, a green salad, or roasted vegetables.
It can also become a satisfying lunch by adding grilled chicken, tuna, chickpeas, hard-boiled eggs, or crumbled feta. Serve it cold or slightly chilled for the freshest flavor and texture.
Storage
Store leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Because the cucumber and tomatoes naturally release moisture and the pasta continues absorbing the dressing, stir the salad well before serving again.
If it looks a little dry after refrigeration, add a spoonful of Greek yogurt, a small amount of reserved dressing, or a splash of milk. Freezing is not recommended because the creamy dressing may separate and the fresh vegetables will lose their crisp texture after thawing.
FAQs
Can I make creamy cucumber tomato pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare it several hours ahead and refrigerate until needed. For the best results, reserve a small amount of dressing and stir it into the pasta shortly before serving.
What pasta works best for creamy pasta salad?
Rotini is especially good because its spiral shape captures the creamy dressing. Fusilli, farfalle, penne, or small shells are also excellent options.
How do I keep cucumber pasta salad from becoming watery?
Choose a firm English cucumber, remove excess moisture from the vegetables, and drain the pasta thoroughly. If making the salad far in advance, you can also add the cucumber closer to serving time.
Can I make the dressing lighter?
Yes. Replace some or all of the mayonnaise with additional plain Greek yogurt. You may want to add a little extra olive oil or honey to balance the tanginess.
What else can I add to this pasta salad?
Black olives, sweet corn, peas, chickpeas, feta cheese, mozzarella, grilled chicken, tuna, or hard-boiled eggs all work well. Keep additions simple so the cucumber, tomatoes, and creamy herb dressing remain the main flavors.
Final Thoughts
This creamy cucumber tomato pasta salad combines tender rotini with crunchy cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, colorful bell peppers, red onion, and a tangy homemade herb dressing. It is simple enough for an everyday lunch but colorful and flavorful enough for a party table. Easy to prepare ahead and endlessly customizable, this refreshing pasta salad is a dependable recipe for summer dinners, barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings.
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