Immerse yourself in a symphony of flavors with our refreshing pasta salad, where crisp cucumbers and juicy cherry tomatoes take center stage. Tossed in a tangy dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs, this salad is a delightful harmony of textures and tastes. The addition of crumbled feta cheese adds a touch of tangy creaminess, while a sprinkle of chopped walnuts provides a nutty crunch. This vibrant salad is not only visually appealing but also incredibly versatile. Serve it as a light lunch or dinner, or as a refreshing side dish at your next barbecue or potluck. With its vibrant colors and zesty flavors, this pasta salad is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
**Additional Recipes in the Article:**
1. **Mediterranean Pasta Salad:** This flavorful pasta salad combines the classic Mediterranean flavors of sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese. Tossed in a light vinaigrette dressing, it's a delicious and healthy option for any occasion.
2. **Orzo Salad with Roasted Vegetables:** This vibrant salad features a medley of roasted vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant, tossed with tender orzo pasta. Drizzled with a tangy dressing made with lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs, this salad is a delightful blend of flavors and textures.
3. **BLT Pasta Salad:** This unique twist on the classic BLT sandwich combines crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and crisp lettuce with tender pasta. Tossed in a creamy dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and chives, this salad is a hearty and satisfying meal.
4. **Caprese Pasta Salad:** Inspired by the classic Italian salad, this pasta salad combines fresh mozzarella cheese, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant basil leaves. Drizzled with a simple dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and herbs, this salad is a celebration of fresh and vibrant flavors.
CREAMY TOMATO CUCUMBER PASTA SALAD
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
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 14
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.
PASTA SALAD WITH CHICKEN, CUCUMBER, CHERRY TOMATOES AND FETA
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 20m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to the package directions; drain and rinse under cold water. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Meanwhile, make the dressing: Combine the garlic, red pepper flakes and olive oil in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring, for 3 minutes; let cool. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Add the chicken, cucumber, cherry tomatoes and feta to the pasta. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to coat. Season with salt and black pepper. Chill for up to 3 hours.
QUICK AND EASY PASTA SALAD
This easy pasta salad is flexible based on the ingredients you have in your kitchen or the season. Start with a hearty pasta shape that has nooks and crannies to hold onto the dressing like rotini or penne. Then toss with our simple dressing and lots of colorful vegetables. We also love adding parmesan cheese, which melts into the dressing as well as a handful of fresh mozzarella balls. For more suggestions for what to add, read through our recommendations in the article above.
Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher
Categories Side Dish, Salad
Time 20m
Yield Makes about 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender, 6 to 10 minutes (check the package for recommended cook time). Drain and rinse well under cold water.
- While the pasta cooks, in the bottom of a large bowl, make the dressing. Whisk the red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, oregano, pepperoncini juice (if using), and the olive oil until blended. Add the drained and rinsed pasta to the dressing and mix well.
- Stir in the bell pepper, zucchini, tomatoes, scallions, pepperoncini (if using), olives, parmesan, mozzarella, and the herbs (if using). Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Serve or for the best results, cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1/10 of the salad, Calories 363, Fat 19.1g, SaturatedFat 5.1g, Cholesterol 18.3mg, Sodium 507.1mg, Carbohydrate 36.6g, Fiber 2.3g, Sugar 2g, Protein 11.7g
WISH-BONE® CUCUMBER AND CHERRY TOMATO SALAD
Quick cool, crisp cucumber and tomato salad with an Italian flair.
Provided by Candy Apple
Categories Salad Vegetable Salad Recipes Tomato Salad Recipes
Time 1h15m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Combine cucumbers and tomatoes in a bowl. Add Italian seasoning, garlic, onion, salt, and black pepper; stir well to combine.
- Drizzle Italian-style dressing into the bowl, stirring until cucumbers and tomatoes are evenly coated.
- Cover and chill salad for 1 hour. Toss well before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 59.1 calories, Carbohydrate 9.5 g, Fat 2.5 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 1.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 169.8 mg, Sugar 3 g
PASTA SALAD WITH CHICKEN, CUCUMBER, CHERRY TOMATO
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta until al dente',drain and rinse under cold water. Transfer to a large bowl resealable bowl.
- Add the chicken, cucumber, cherry tomatoes and feta to the bowl with the pasta. If some don't care for feta-like my son, it can be added to each individual serving.
- Make the dressing: Cook the garlic and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan with the olive oil over medium heat, stirring, 3 minutes; let cool. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over the pasta salad and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Chill 1 Hour. Refridgerate any leftovers. Enjoy!
CUCUMBER, TOMATO AND PASTA SALAD
I make this recipe mostly in late Spring and especially during the Summer months using cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, fresh from my own garden. I usually make enough for at least two or three servings so I'll have something for a quick, easy brown-bag lunch or perhaps a light dinner. This recipe is easy on the budget, relatively healthy, and is a great side dish. I'll sometimes have a small bowl of this salad with a toasted slice of baguette bread, lightly brushed with extra virgin olive oil and rubbed with a fresh garlic clove and a sprinkling of oregano, and a glass of my favorite wine. Bon Appetit!!
Provided by KyAmy
Categories Low Cholesterol
Time 20m
Yield 6 , 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cook rotini as directed on package to al dante; Drain and run pasta under cold water.
- Drizzle italian dressing over pasta, mixing slowly so as not to break apart the pasta pieces. Add in tomatoes, black olives, cucumber, and 5 tablespoons of the feta cheese. Continue mixing ingredients until well-coated.
- Sprinkle remaining feta cheese over pasta mixture and top with almonds. (Instead of almonds I've used Melissa's Salad Sprinkles. This could not be located in RecipeZaar as a recognized ingredient but I wanted to record it in the directions as another option for a salad topper.).
- NOTE: If you don't care for feta cheese, try using Parmesan cheese instead. It tastes just as good and gives the salad a somewhat different flavor. Use only four to five tablespoons instead and mix in as given above.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 255.3, Fat 8.1, SaturatedFat 2.7, Cholesterol 11.1, Sodium 424.6, Carbohydrate 38.1, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 4.8, Protein 8.2
Tips:
- Choose the right pasta. Small shapes like penne, farfalle, or rotini work best for pasta salad as they hold the dressing well.
- Cook the pasta al dente. This means cooking it until it is just tender but still has a slight bite to it.
- Rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking. This will stop the cooking process and help prevent the pasta from sticking together.
- Use fresh vegetables. This will give your pasta salad the best flavor and texture.
- Chop the vegetables into small pieces. This will make them easier to eat and help them absorb the dressing.
- Use a variety of colors and textures in your pasta salad. This will make it more visually appealing and interesting to eat.
- Don't overdress the pasta salad. Too much dressing will make it soggy and bland.
- Let the pasta salad sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together.
Conclusion:
Pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or side dish. It is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings. With so many different variations, there is sure to be a pasta salad recipe that everyone will love. So get creative and experiment with different ingredients and flavors to find your perfect pasta salad recipe.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love