Cucumber Pasta Salad (Printable)

Bright cucumber and pasta tossed with cherry tomatoes, dill and a tangy yogurt dressing; chill before serving.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz 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 lemon juice
09 - 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
10 - 1 garlic clove, minced
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Add-Ins

12 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
13 - 2 tablespoons capers

# How-to Steps:

01 - Boil short pasta in a large pot of well-salted water according to package directions. Drain thoroughly using a colander, rinse under cold water, and set aside to cool.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth and fully combined.
03 - Add sliced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped dill to the dressing. Gently toss to evenly coat the vegetables.
04 - Incorporate the cooled pasta into the vegetable and dressing mixture, tossing gently until well coated.
05 - Fold in crumbled feta cheese and capers if desired for additional flavor and texture.
06 - Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Toss once more before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • This salad tastes even better after chilling, so you can make it ahead like a pro.
  • It’s the first thing gone at every summer barbecue, trust me.
02 -
  • Once, I skipped rinsing the pasta and ended up with a gummy mess—don’t make my mistake.
  • Salad tastes best once it's had at least half an hour to chill; warm dressing just isn’t the same.
03 -
  • Always use a large bowl so you can toss everything gently without making a mess.
  • Add the feta and capers last to keep their texture distinct.

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