Best 6 Marinated Cucumber Pasta Salad Recipes

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**Marinated Cucumber Pasta Salad: A Refreshing and Flavorful Summer Delight**

As the warm weather beckons, it's time to embrace light and refreshing dishes that tantalize the taste buds. Among the many summer favorites, marinated cucumber pasta salad stands out with its vibrant colors, crisp textures, and burst of flavors. This delightful salad combines the refreshing crunch of cucumbers, the tender bite of pasta, and a medley of herbs and seasonings, all harmoniously blended in a tangy marinade.

**Key Elements of the Dish:**

* **Cucumbers:** The foundation of the salad lies in the crisp and cool cucumbers, sliced thinly to absorb the marinade's flavors.
* **Pasta:** Typically, short and sturdy pasta like penne or rotini is used, holding the marinade and salad components well.
* **Marinade:** A flavorful blend of vinegar, olive oil, herbs, and seasonings infuses the salad with tangy, aromatic goodness.
* **Herbs and Seasonings:** A symphony of fresh herbs like dill, basil, and parsley, along with zesty lemon zest and a hint of garlic, elevates the salad's taste.

**Recipe Variations:**

* **Classic Cucumber Pasta Salad:** This is the quintessential version, where cucumbers, pasta, and a simple marinade take center stage.
* **Greek-Inspired Cucumber Pasta Salad:** Incorporate Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and a drizzle of Greek dressing for a Mediterranean twist.
* **Asian Cucumber Pasta Salad:** Add a touch of sesame oil, ginger, and soy sauce for an Asian-inspired flavor profile.
* **Creamy Cucumber Pasta Salad:** For a richer variation, stir in a creamy dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, or yogurt.
* **Vegan Cucumber Pasta Salad:** Make it plant-based by using vegan mayonnaise or a creamy cashew-based dressing.

No matter your preference, marinated cucumber pasta salad offers a delightful medley of flavors and textures that will leave you refreshed and satisfied. It's perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a light and flavorful lunch or dinner option.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

CREAMY TOMATO CUCUMBER PASTA SALAD



Creamy Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad image

Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and herbs tossed in a light creamy dressing with pasta make a salad that's absolutely irresistible! Creamy Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad is not only easy to make but it's colorful, cool, and does double duty as a side dish or salad.

Provided by Donya Mullins

Categories     Salad     Side Dish

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 14

8 ounces rotini pasta (or any pasta you like)
1 pint grape tomatoes
1 English cucumber
1/2 red onion
1 tablespoon fresh dill
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
1 tablespoon fresh basil
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add pasta. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  • While pasta cooks, halve tomatoes, slice the cucumber, and onion. Chop the dill, parsley, and basil. Put all ingredients into a large bowl.
  • To a small bowl or mason jar, add sour cream, mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk together or shake to combine.
  • Drain and rinse the cooked pasta. After cooling for 5 minutes, add it to the bowl with the chopped vegetables and herbs. Pour dressing over and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

CREAMY CUCUMBER PASTA SALAD



Creamy Cucumber Pasta Salad image

Creamy Cucumber Pasta Salad takes my favorite summer cucumber salad and turns it into a delicious meal. Loaded with tender pasta, crisp juicy cucumbers, fresh dill and sweet white onion, this dish will be the hit of every potluck!

Provided by Holly Nilsson

Categories     Salad

Time 14m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 long english cucumber
½ pound medium sized pasta (such as penne or rotini)
½ sweet white onion
½ cup sour cream
½ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons fresh dill
2 tablespoons white vinegar
pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Combine all dressing ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Set aside.
  • Thinly slice onion and place in a bowl of cold water. (see note)
  • Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Run under cold water to stop cooking.
  • Cut cucumber in half lengthwise and remove seeds using a spoon. Slice into thin slices.
  • Toss all ingredients in a large bowl. Let sit at least 40 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 178 kcal, Carbohydrate 11 g, Protein 2 g, Fat 13 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 13 mg, Sodium 247 mg, Sugar 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving

MARINATED CUCUMBER SALAD



Marinated Cucumber Salad image

Provided by Valerie Bertinelli

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
4 teaspoons sugar
4 teaspoons sesame oil
2 English cucumbers, thinly sliced on a mandoline

Steps:

  • Combine the vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, oil and 1 tablespoon water in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Add the cucumbers, cover, and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Serve chilled.

MARINATED MACARONI SALAD



Marinated Macaroni Salad image

This is an excellent macaroni salad that everyone in my family has made over the years, and now I make. We have this with dinner at least once a week or every two weeks. It's a hit with everyone, as there's ketchup and sugar in it for the kids. Just try it; you'll LOVE it!

Provided by KillerKitty

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 1h40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup canola oil
⅔ cup white sugar
⅔ cup ketchup
½ cup white vinegar
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 cups rotini pasta
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 small onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 cup chopped cucumber

Steps:

  • Whisk canola oil, sugar, ketchup, vinegar, salt, and black pepper together in a bowl. Set aside to let the flavors blend for 30 minutes.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain. Rinse with cold water to cool; drain.
  • Combine cooled pasta, tomatoes, onion, green bell pepper, and cucumber in a bowl.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss to coat.
  • Chill in refrigerator for 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 503.5 calories, Carbohydrate 56.7 g, Fat 28.8 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 6.5 g, SaturatedFat 2.2 g, Sodium 809.7 mg, Sugar 24.3 g

MARINATED CUCUMBER PASTA SALAD



Marinated Cucumber Pasta Salad image

The sweet-and-sour dressing in this recipe is a nice change of pace from more traditional varieties. My nursing supervisor shared the recipe with me...and I'm glad she did!-Sue Dorrance, West Bend, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 package (16 ounces) mostaccioli
1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
6 green onions, chopped
MARINADE:
1 cup sugar
1 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup canola oil
1 jar (2 ounces) diced pimientos, drained
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Cook mostaccioli according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the mostaccioli, cucumber and onions., In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the marinade ingredients; shake well. Pour over pasta mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight, stirring occasionally. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 188 calories, Fat 4g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 166mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

COOL CUCUMBER PASTA



Cool Cucumber Pasta image

People say this salad is crispy, sweet and refreshingly different. The crunchy cucumbers and tender pasta provide wonderful texture. -Jeanette Fuehring, Concordia, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 cup water
3/4 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Place pasta in a large bowl; stir in the oil, cucumbers and onion. , In a small bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Cover and chill for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve with a slotted spoon. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 226 calories, Fat 2g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 346mg sodium, Carbohydrate 50g carbohydrate (32g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

Tips:

  • Choose the right cucumber. English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers are best for pasta salad because they have fewer seeds and a milder flavor. You can also slice them more thinly without worrying about them becoming bitter. If using a regular cucumber, be sure to peel and seed it before slicing.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, but be careful not to overcook it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and won't hold its shape well in the salad.
  • Make sure the vegetables are crisp-tender. The vegetables should be cooked or blanched just until they are tender-crisp. Overcooked vegetables will be mushy and lose their flavor.
  • Use a flavorful dressing. The dressing is what really makes this salad sing. Use a dressing that is flavorful and complements the other ingredients in the salad. A simple vinaigrette is a great option, but you can also use a creamy or tangy dressing if you prefer.
  • Chill the salad before serving. This salad is best served chilled. This will allow the flavors to meld and the salad to firm up. You can chill the salad for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.

Conclusion:

Marinated cucumber pasta salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own personal preferences. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious marinated cucumber pasta salad that everyone will love.

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